"The killdeer stands alert on a patch of sunlit grass, its slender body angled slightly forward as if poised for motion. Its plumage is a striking contrast of earthy brown across the back and wings, crisp white underparts, and two bold black bands slicing across its chest like ceremonial sashes. A delicate white ring encircles its neck, while a vivid red ring around its dark eye gives the bird a look of fierce clarity — a sentinel in feathers. The background is bright, almost washed out, which throws the bird into sharp relief, like a figure stepping forward from myth. Every feather is etched with precision, and the killdeer’s long legs and upright posture lend it a dignified, almost heraldic presence. The image feels like a moment of stillness before flight — a sovereign pause in the open field." - Microsoft Copilot
I was sitting here for a few seconds trying to remember the name of this bird. I thought 'killcow,' but that didn't sound right. Then I thought 'killjoy,' which sounded better, but I knew that wasn't it. Finally, I remembered, 'oh yea, killdeer (Charadrius vociferus).'
"The killdeer in the image is facing to the left, with its left side in clear view. It has a long, black beak that is open, perhaps calling out or mid-chirp. The bird has striking plumage, including a brown back, white underparts, and two distinct black bands across its chest. Its large, dark eyes are also quite prominent." - Copilot