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 - Dromas ardeola
Crab Plover - Dromas ardeola
