Plover, Crab

Conservation status:

Common

Description:

Long-legged pied wader with large head and straight massive bill. Adult breeding has black mantle, white head and neck and distinctive black spot around eye; adult winter and immature have dark streaks on crown and nape. Juvenile shows streaking on rear crown, silvery grey mantle, scapulars and tail, and at distance could be mistaken for a gull. Feeding action like a plover. In flight, shows white wings with blackish flight-feathers and long trailing legs; flight slow with stiff wing-beats and head sunk back into shoulders. Often gregarious.