| Crab Plover | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Dromas ardeola |
The Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) is a bird related to the waders, but sufficiently distinctive to merit its own family Dromadidae.
It is resident on the coasts and islands of the Indian Ocean, where it feeds on crabs and other small animals.
This bird resembles a plover, but has very long grey legs and a strong sharp black bill similar to a tern. It has partially webbed toes.
The plumage is white except for black on its back and in the primary feathers of the wings.
It lays one white egg in a hole in a sandy bank
For an alternative classification of the Charadriiformes, see Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy