Photo: afsarnayakkan / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Crab-plover
Dromas ardeola
Crab-plover (Dromas ardeola) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Crab-plover (Dromas ardeola) is a member of the Dromadidae family found in Africa and Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 325 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Dromadidae Crab-plover
- Genus Dromas
- Species ardeola
Where it lives
Sandy coasts and islands of Red Sea, Arabian Pen. and Persian Gulf (northwestern Indian Ocean)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 325 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Dromadidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crab-plover hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Crab-plover is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crab-plover (Dromas ardeola) is a species of bird in the Dromadidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa and Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers AF, IO sandy coasts and islands of Red Sea, Arabian Pen. and Persian Gulf (nw Indian Ocean).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 325 g, with a wing length of about 20.9 cm and a tail of around 6.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 319,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crab-plover?
The Crab-plover is a large bird that weighs around 325 g.
Where does the Crab-plover live?
The Crab-plover is found across Africa and Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering AF, IO sandy coasts and islands of Red Sea, Arabian Pen. and Persian Gulf (nw Indian Ocean), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Crab-plover belong to?
The Crab-plover (Dromas ardeola) belongs to the Dromadidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Crab-plover eat?
The Crab-plover hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Crab-plover migrate?
The Crab-plover is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crab-plover endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Crab-plover make?
1 real field recording of the Crab-plover — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Crab-plover's range?
The Crab-plover has a mapped global range of about 319,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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