Crab-plover
Sign in to saveThe crab-plover or crab plover (Dromas ardeola) is a coastal wader (shorebird). It is the only member of the genus Dromas and the family Dromadidae. It is unique among waders in making use of ground warmth to aid the incubation of its eggs. The crab-plover is classified in the suborder Lari, making it more closely related to gulls and auks than to most other waders such as plovers (suborder Charadrii) and sandpipers (suborder Scolopaci).
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The crab-plover is a coastal shorebird that stands alone as the only species in its own genus and family, making it taxonomically distinct from other waders. It is notable for being the only wader known to use ground heat to help incubate its eggs, and genetic research shows it is more closely related to gulls and auks than to typical waders like plovers and sandpipers.
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6 sectionsContents
- Description
- Range
- Habits
- Notes
- References
- External links
The crab-plover or crab plover (Dromas ardeola) is a coastal wader (shorebird). It is the only member of the genus Dromas and the family Dromadidae. It is unique among waders in making use of ground warmth to aid the incubation of its eggs. The crab-plover is classified in the suborder Lari, making it more closely related to gulls and auks than to most other waders such as plovers (suborder Charadrii) and sandpipers (suborder Scolopaci).
==Description== thumb|left|The feet are partially webbed 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 with heavy bill makes it distinctive and unmistakable. 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 usual call is a ka similar to that of the bar-tailed godwit but repeated rapidly. Flocks may produce a whinnying sound that rises and at in the breeding season produce whistling kew-ki-ki notes.