Fauna
Bird

Crab-plover

Dromas ardeola

Also known as Crab Plover

Crab-plovers stalk tropical Indian Ocean shorelines, using heavy black bills to dismember crabs and hard-shelled invertebrates. Unique among shorebirds, colonies dig deep underground burrows in sandy dunes where solar heat assists in incubating their single white egg. Chicks remain in the burrow until grown, relying on parental feeding far longer than almost any other wader.

CoastalBurrow-NestingShorebird
Crab-plover reference1 / 5
(c) Afsar Nayakkan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Afsar Nayakkan · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCrabs, Marine crustaceans, Mollusks
Predators
  • Raptors
  • Feral cats
  • Rats
ThreatsCoastal development, human disturbance at nesting sites, invasive predators
HabitatsSandy shorelines, coral reefs, mudflats, estuaries
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilyDromadidae
  2. SpeciesDromas ardeola
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe from a distance; the heavy bill can pinch if handled.
What to notice
Recognize adults by their stark black-and-white body, long grey legs, and heavy black bill near sandy beaches.
Support conservation
Maintain a wide distance from breeding colonies and never walk across sandy banks where burrows are present.
Responsible observation
  • Dune Caution: Keep clear of sandy dunes where underground nesting burrows easily collapse.
  • Tide Timing: Scan intertidal mudflats during low tide when large flocks gather to feed.
  • Listen for Calls: Identify roosting groups by their loud, dog-like barking calls.
Related species
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