Crab Plover

Crab Plover

Taxobox
name = Crab Plover


status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Charadriiformes
familia = Dromadidae
familia_authority = GR Gray, 1840
genus = "Dromas"
genus_authority = Paykull, 1805
species = "D. ardeola"
binomial = "Dromas ardeola"
binomial_authority = Paykull, 1805
range_
The Crab Plover ("Dromas ardeola)" is a bird related to the waders, but sufficiently distinctive to merit its own family Dromadidae. Its relationship within the Charadriiformes is unclear (del Hoyo "et al"), some have considered it to be closely related to the thick-knees, or the pratincoles, while others have considered it closer to the auks and gulls. It is the only member of the genus "Dromas".

Description

This bird resembles a plover, but has very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. Its black-and-white plumage and long-necked upright posture make it look like a cross between a pied avocet and a giraffe. Its bill is unique among waders, and specialised for eating crabs. It has partially webbed toes. The plumage is white except for black on its back and in the primary feathers of the wings. They are noisy birds, calling frequently on their breeding sites and in their wintering grounds.

The Crab Plover is one of the species to which the "Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds" (AEWA) applies.

Range

It is resident on the coasts and islands of the Indian Ocean, where it feeds on crabs and other small animals. They are gregarious and will feed in large groups, at night and during dawn and dusk as well as during the day; this crepuscular and nocturnal behaviour is more common during the breeding season. They breed around the Arabian Sea,Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Somalia in the months of April to July then disperse across the Indian Ocean in August as far as the Andaman Islands and Sri Lanka in the east and Tanzania and Madagascar.

Habits

The Crab Plover is unusual for waders in that it nests in burrows in sandy banks. It is a colonial breeder, nesting in colonies as large 1500 pairs. It lays one white egg, occasionally two, which are large for its body size. The chicks are also unique for waders in being unable to walk and remain in the nest for several days after hatching, having food brought to them. Even once they fledge they have a long period of parental care afterwards.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume Three, Hoatzin to Auks; "de Hoyo, Elliot" and "Sargatal", ISBN 84-87334-20-2
* Hayman, P., J. Marchant, T. Prater. 1986. Shorebirds: an indentification guide to the waders of the world. London: Croom Helm, Ltd.

External links

* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=1367 Crab Plover videos] on the Internet Bird Collection


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  • Crab plover — Crab Crab (kr[a^]b), n. [AS. crabba; akin to D. krab, G. krabbe, krebs, Icel. krabbi, Sw. krabba, Dan. krabbe, and perh. to E. cramp. Cf. {Crawfish}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) One of the brachyuran Crustacea. They are mostly marine, and usually have a broad …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • crab plover — krabinis sėjikas statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Dromas ardeola angl. crab plover vok. Reiherläufer, m pranc. drome ardéole, f ryšiai: platesnis terminas – krabiniai sėjikai …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • crab plover — ▪ bird  (species Dromas ardeola), long legged, black and white bird of Indian Ocean coasts, related to plovers and allied species of shorebirds. It comprises the family Dromadidae (order Charadriiformes). Crab plovers are tame, noisy birds about… …   Universalium

  • crab plover — noun : a bird (Dromas ardeola) like a plover widely distributed along the east coast of Africa and the southern shores of Asia where it feeds chiefly on crabs and burrows into sandbanks to deposit its single white egg …   Useful english dictionary

  • crab-plover — /krab pluv euhr, ploh veuhr/, n. a black and white wading bird, Dromas ardeola, of the northern and western shores of the Indian Ocean. [so called from its diet] * * * …   Universalium

  • crab-plover — /krab pluv euhr, ploh veuhr/, n. a black and white wading bird, Dromas ardeola, of the northern and western shores of the Indian Ocean. [so called from its diet] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Crab — (kr[a^]b), n. [AS. crabba; akin to D. krab, G. krabbe, krebs, Icel. krabbi, Sw. krabba, Dan. krabbe, and perh. to E. cramp. Cf. {Crawfish}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) One of the brachyuran Crustacea. They are mostly marine, and usually have a broad, short… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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