Habitat Selection, Density estimation and Feeding Strategy of Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) in Zohre Estuary Mudflats, Khuzestan Province

Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biology

M. Naderi ¹

1 - گروه محیط زیست، دانشکده کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه اراک، کدپستی 38156-8-8349 ، اراک، ایران

Received: 2016-10-15 Accepted : 2017-05-21 Published : 2016-11-21

Keywords: Density, Abundance, dispersal, Mudflats, Crab plover,

Abstract :

For the investigation about prey and predator relationships, Crab plover was selected as a model species in the Zohre river mudflats, Sajafi harbor where is located in thee Mahshahr. During nine months field study from late spring 2014 to the late winter 2015, we tried to estimate the species abundance and density as a predator and prey items as well. The most important variables affecting the bird distribution and habitat use also was investigated using logistic regression and paired T test. The main items that affect Crab Plover habitat selection and feeding strategy are Crab’s density, safety (distance to the Sajafi harbor), presence of the competitors and especially limited time of the feeding period which affect optimal foraging.