Breeding distribution and conservation of the Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) in Saudi Arabia (Aves: Charadriiformes) |
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| Authors: | Mohammed Almalki Monif AlRashidi Mohammed Shobrak Tamás Székely |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, U.K.;2. Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabiamsam21@bath.ac.uk;4. Department of Biology, University of Hail, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;5. Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
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| Abstract: | We surveyed the population of the Crab Plover, a species which is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in coastal and offshore areas of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, and compared the data with a survey carried out in 1996. We found two new colonies which comprise together about 539 pairs. Altogether 1380 pairs of Crab Plover breed in the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia in five colonies, representing approximately 35% of the Arabian breeding population. Major threats to the Crab Plover are human disturbance, egg collection, and introduced animals (e.g. cats, rats and snakes) that may feed upon eggs and chicks. |
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| Keywords: | Crab Plover conservation status threats human disturbance Saudi Arabia |
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