Crab Plover

Jan 9

Crab Plovers are an example of those birds unique enough to deserve their own families. They have heavy bills that are adapted to eating crabs. There is still some debate about their proper classification. But, for now, there is general agreement that they belong in the Charadriiformes.

They act like most other birds in the order with the exception of speciallizing in eating crabs.

It lives on islands of the Indian Ocean and surrounding coasts. Another unique feature of this bird is that it nests in burrows in a sandy bank along with many other pairs.

Classification:

Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Dromadidae
Genus: Dromas
Species: D. ardeola

Photos:

Crab Plover - Dromas ardeola

Crab Plover - Dromas ardeola

CRAB PLOVER Dromadidae زقزاق السرطان

"For years we have gone hunting. I’ve loved sitting next to him in his crab blind or sitting quietly in my own. Now that Boomer came into our lives I see all living animals as having feelings and I can’t stand the thought of hunting. Boomer is our bassett hound. He thinks he is human. I sometimes think so too. The way he has shown me that he feels things like we do has changed me forever. Now, all I can think of is that if a dog can feel emotions like we do… can a crab?"