FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF THE CRAB PLOVE~ DROMAS ARDEOLA AT KO LIBONG, SOUTHERN THAILAND

• Main Authors: Nat Hist Bull, Soc
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1987
• Subjects: Arenaria interpres
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.1050.3472; http://www.siamese-heritage.org/nhbsspdf/vol031-040/NHBSS_035_1-2g_Swennen_ForagingBehaviourO.pdf

ABSTRACT During an INTERWADER shorebird survey of Ko Libong, Trang Province, South Thailand, the authors had the opportunity to observe the foraging· behaviour of two Crab Plovers Dramas ardeola. Observations .were made for a total of 9 hours 57 minutes, in which time data were collected on foraging strategies, prey species and interactions with other birds. Crab Plovers foraged using a distinct walk-stop-look method, obviously using their eyes to locate prey; however it was· suggested that taste could play a role in the choice of hunting site. All 58 prey items recorded were crabs of between 10 mm and 70 mm carapace width. The larger crabs were Portunus pe/agicus, the smaller ones unidentified Grapsids. All other crab, shrimp and fish species present were ignored. The use of Ko Libong as a wintering site enables Crab Plovers to feed on a higher trophic level (predatory crabs), than on their breeding areas where they feed on herbivorous or detritivorous crabs. At Ko Libong feeding was territorial, unlike in the western part of the range where it is gregarious. Some interactions between Turnstone Arenaria interpres and Crab Plovers were noted, but no other interspecific interactions were observed.