Killdeers are present in Washington throughout the year, especially west of the Cascades. Most individuals leave the intermountain interior during the winter. Migrating birds return in February and March and stay until October or November.

Does killdeer migrate in winter?

Resident or medium-distance migrant. Some northern birds spend the winter in Mexico. In the southern United States and Pacific coast, Killdeer are year-round residents.

Do killdeer migrate in flocks?

Like many other birds — blackbirds, robins, geese, grackles, and others — killdeer tend to gather in winter flocks, aggressively maintaining foraging distance, but nevertheless moving about together. ... Oddly enough, migrant killdeer seem not to mingle with resident killdeer.