Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do plovers find and catch invertebrates on open ground?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Illustration of a crab plover (Dromas ardeola), showing a slender wading bird with long legs, a long pointed black bill, white head and underparts, and contrasting black wings and back. — Charadriiform Crab plover (Dromas ardeola)

Plovers (family Charadriidae) forage on open ground by relying primarily on their sight to locate invertebrates. Their typical feeding behavior involves a distinct pattern: the bird runs a few steps, pauses with its head cocked to scan the area, and then either pecks at potential prey or resumes running to search further. While many species feed during the day, the crab plover is a notable exception, as it feeds mostly at twilight.1