About the Egyptian Plover
The Egyptian plover, also known as the crocodile bird, is a wader, the only member of the genus Pluvianus. It occurs in a band across Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east and south to parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite the name, it no longer occurs in Egypt. The species was formerly placed with the pratincoles and coursers in the family, Glareolidae, but is now regarded as the sole member of its own monotypic family Pluvianidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Egyptian plover is a striking and unmistakable species. The 19–21 cm (7.5–8.3 in) long adult has a black crown, back, eye-mask and breast band. The rest of the head is white. The remaining upperpart plumage is blue-grey, and the underparts are buff. The longish legs are blue-grey. The sexes are similar but juveniles are duller and the black marking are intermixed with brown. There is no seasonal variation. In flight the black crown and back contrast with the grey of the upperparts and wings. The flight feathers are brilliant white crossed by a black bar.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mauritania, Spain, France.
When to see it
Peak activity in December · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Learn the Egyptian Plover for real
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