Black Crab Plover

Black Crab Plover, Dromas nigra is a species of crab plover in the Dromadidae family. It is closely related to gulls and auks.

The species is monotypic.

Other names
Black Crab-plover, White-winged Crab Plover, White-winged Crab-plover.

Description
This species is mostly black in colour, with white wing patches. The Black Crab Plover has a heavy, daggerlike black bill, black and white plumage, and long grey legs. The irides are dark brown to black.

Similar species
Crab Plover is white with black wing patches. Oystercatchers are smaller and stilts have longer, red legs.

Diet
Feeds on its speciality and namesake: crabs.

Calls
It is a noisy bird, calling frequently while at its breeding sites and on its wintering ground. Its call is a barking ka-how ka-how ka-how; and at breeding sites, utters various sharp whistles such as kew-ki-ki and ki-tewk; not unlike the Crab Plover.

Reproduction
It nests in underground chambers, where it lays a single white egg. Its young are nidifugous.

Distribution/habitat
Lives along sandy coasts, estuaries, lagoons, exposed coral reefs and mudflats.

Based on...
It is based on an inverted Crab Plover and where most of its info comes from.