Egyptian Plover

About the Egyptian Plover
Also known as: Crocodile Bird
Egyptian Plover

The Egyptian Plover is a wader, also called Crocodile Bird for its symbiotic relationship with crocodiles. According to a story dating to Herodotus, the plovers fly into crocodiles' mouths so as to feed on bits of decaying meat that are lodged between the crocodiles' teeth.

Egyptian Plover is a localised resident in tropical sub-Saharan Africa. It breeds on sandbars in large rivers. It is a striking and unmistakable species. It is a very tame bird found in pairs or small groups near water. The call is a high-pitched krrr-krrr-krrr.

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Details & Statistics

International Names

Related Articles

Truth or Tale? The Egyptian Plover and the Myth of the Crocodile Bird

The Egyptian Plover is a beautiful species of wader that lives in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the common name, their present range does not extend to any part of Egypt. The bird is sometimes known by another name: Crocodile Bird. During his travels to Egypt in 459...  Read more »