About Dromas ardeola Paykull, 1805
This bird resembles a plover, but has very long grey legs and a strong, heavy black bill similar to a tern's. Its black-and-white plumage, long-necked upright posture, and heavy bill make it distinctive and unmistakable. Its bill is unique among waders, and is specialised for eating crabs. It has partially webbed toes. Its plumage is white, except for black on its back and on the primary feathers of its wings. Crab-plovers are noisy birds, calling frequently at both their breeding sites and wintering grounds. Their usual call is a ka similar to that of the bar-tailed godwit, but it is repeated rapidly. Flocks may produce a rising whinnying sound, and in the breeding season they produce whistling kew-ki-ki notes. Males and females are not easily distinguished, but males have a heavier and longer bill. Juveniles have greyish black coloring on the mantle, and keep this plumage for a year. Flocks fly in lines or "V" formations. The crab-plover is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. The crab-plover is resident on the coasts and islands of the Indian Ocean, where it feeds on crabs and other small animals. They are gregarious and will feed in large groups, active at night, dawn, and dusk as well as during the day. This crepuscular and nocturnal behaviour is more common during the breeding season. They breed around the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Somalia from April to July. In August, they disperse across the Indian Ocean as far east as the Andaman Islands and Sri Lanka, and as far south as Tanzania and Madagascar.
