Egyptian Plover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Egyptian Plover |
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| Kaur Wetlands, the Gambia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Phylum: | |
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Pluvianidae
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| Genus: |
Pluvianus
Vieillot, 1816
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| Species: |
P. aegyptius
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| Binomial name | |
| Pluvianus aegyptius (Linnaeus, 1758)
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The Egyptian Plover is a special kind of bird that lives near water. It's known as a "wader" because it often walks in shallow water to find food. This bird is the only species in its group, called the Pluvianus genus.
Sometimes, people call it the Crocodile Bird. This name comes from an old story by a historian named Herodotus. The story says that these plovers would fly into the open mouths of crocodiles to eat tiny bits of meat stuck in their teeth! However, there's no real proof that this amazing event actually happens.
Egyptian Plovers live in the warm, tropical parts of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. They like to build their nests on sandy banks next to big rivers. They lay two or three eggs and bury them in the warm sand to keep them safe. These birds mostly eat insects, which they find by pecking at the ground. If you hear one, its call sounds like a high-pitched krrr-krrr-krrr.
Where Egyptian Plovers Live
These interesting birds make their homes in the sunny, tropical areas of Africa. You can find them in places south of the huge Sahara Desert. They especially love to be near big rivers.
Nesting Habits
Egyptian Plovers are very clever about where they lay their eggs. Instead of building a fancy nest, they dig a small hole in the warm sandbars of large rivers. They then bury their two or three eggs in the sand. This helps keep the eggs warm and safe from predators.
What They Eat
These birds are insect eaters! They spend their days walking along the riverbanks, looking for tasty insects. They use their beaks to peck at the ground and catch their food.
Images for kids
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A characteristic pair of Egyptian plovers (Pluvianus aegyptius) feeding on the shoreline, The Gambia, November 2021
See also
In Spanish: Pluvial para niños
