Bahrain, Bangladesh, British Indian Ocean Territory, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran [Islamic Republic of] (B) (NB), Iraq (B) (NB), Kenya, Kuwait (NB), Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Oman (B) (NB), Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (B) (NB) (P), Seychelles, Somalia (B), South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania [United Republic of], Thailand, United Arab Emirates (B) (NB) (P), Yemen (NB) (P).
Vagrant to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 60,000 - 80,000 (2010).
Status LC
Destruction of nesting site habitat due to planting of mangroves, is the main threat. Predation, oil spills and egg collection are also possible threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Crab-plover (Dromas ardeola) [XC699919]
by Herman van Oosten from Barr al Hikman, Oman, Oman (begging call)
Crab-plover (Dromas ardeola) [XC201854]
by Guido O. Keijl from Makkah Province, United Arab Emirates (begging call, call)
Nest
An unlined chamber at the end of a burrow 100-250 cm long, excavated into the sandy substrate of an island or extensive coastal dune system. In colonies.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet