Crab plover (family)

Crab plovers (Dromadidae, Dromas) are family and genus of birds in the Charadriiformes order. They differ from other shorebirds not only in structure but in its tunnel-nesting habits, single white egg and nidicolous young.

The Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) is endemic to the Red Sea region and winters southward along the East African coast. The Black Crab Plover (Dromas nigra) is found along the coasts of Europa, from the United Kingdom to Turkey.

In both species, both sexes look similar. They are unmistakable, but juveniles may look like gulls; have pied plumages, and stout bills. Both species range from 38 - 41 cm in length. They may also rest on their tarsi, making them look like gulls.

They live along sandy coasts, estuaries, lagoons, exposed coral reefs and mudflats.

Dromas is from Greek δρομας dromas, meaning running or τρεχω trekhō to run.