Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How many eggs do Charadriiformes usually lay?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Charadriiform
Crab plover (Dromas ardeola)
Members of the order Charadriiformes typically lay a small number of eggs, with most families laying between two and four. However, there is some variation across different species:1
- Common ranges: Many species, such as plovers, avocets, and skimmers, commonly lay clutches of three or four eggs.23
- Smaller clutches: Some species, such as crab plovers, fairy terns, and certain coursers, lay only a single egg. Others, like the kittiwake and thickknees, typically lay two.23
- Larger clutches: Jacanas are notable for laying up to six eggs.1
In general, these birds are ground nesters that often use little to no nesting material, and their eggs are typically protectively colored to blend into their surroundings.1