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Mida Creek, part of the Malindi-Watamu Biosphere Reserve, is a mangrove swamp par excellence. This natural labyrinth of tidal mud flats, open shallow waters and mangrove forest is an important feeding ground for indigenous waterfowl and wintering area for migratory waders. What's more, it's an important habitat for a myriad of marine life - crustaceans, invertebrates, turtles and fish. Tour the creek in a dugout canoe. Explore the forest on a hanging boardwalk. Spy on nature at a bird hide. Steal a look at life in a mangrove forest and tidal creek. Spot waders, kingfishers, greater flamingos, and crab plovers. See green turtles, crabs, and giant groupers. Note a variety of fauna. Enjoy a traditional lunch on Kirepwe Island.

Crab-Plover Facts

There are lots of fun facts about the crab-plover. Did you know that?

The crab-plover, Dromas ardeola, is a shorebird (wader) and only species in the Dromadidae family.
Crab-plovers are mostly white. They have a black back and black primary wing feathers. They have a long neck, long blue-gray legs and a large dagger-like bill.
The crab-plover measures 38-40 cm (15-16 inches) in length. It has a wingspan of 75-78 cm (30-31 inches and weighs roughly 230 to 330 g (8 to 12 ounces).
Crab-plovers are found on Indian Ocean coasts from India to Madagascar. They inhabit a variety of sandy environments including sand beaches, tidal sand flats, estuaries, lagoons and exposed coral reefs.
The crab-plover is a migratory bird. They breed from Somalia to Iran. They winter on the East African coast, Indian peninsula, and Indian Ocean islands.
Crab-plovers feed mainly on crabs but will also eat small mollusks, marine worms and other crustaceans.
The crab-plover is gregarious and crepuscular meaning it feeds in large groups at dawn and dusk.
Crab-plovers nest in burrows roughly ½ meter deep to protect their eggs from extreme surface heat. They are the only wader that nests in this fashion.