Justification This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Family/Sub-family Dromadidae

Species name author Paykull, 1805

Taxonomic source(s) AERC TAC (2003), Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994), Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

60,000 - 80,000

unset

348,000 km²

No

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: Behaviour Many individuals migrate southwards between August and November and return northwards between March and April, although over much of its range the species is present in fluctuating numbers throughout the year². It breeds from April to August in dense colonies², nesting in burrows set close together¹ in sandy islets or dunes². The species usually feeds singly or in loose groups, flocks occasionally foraging together on mudflats or in shallow water¹ and gathering at communal high-tide roost sites². Most of the species's activities occur in the early morning and late afternoon¹. Habitat The species inhabits sandy coastlines and islands, intertidal sandflats and mudflats, estuaries, lagoons and exposed coral reefs¹, specifically requiring sandy islands or extensive dunes up to 1 km inland in which to excavate nesting burrows². Diet Its diet consists predominantly of crabs as well as other crustaceans, small molluscs and marine worms¹. Breeding site The nest is an unlined chamber at the end of a burrow 100-250 cm long excavated into the sandy substrate¹ of an island or extensive coastal dune system². The species nests colonially, with many burrows set close together in a honeycomb arrangement¹.

Threats The species is threatened by future oil spills^{1, 3} and the potential introduction of nest predators onto breeding islands¹. The planting of mangrove stands over bare substrates in some areas may also reduce the availability of nest sites³. Utilisation Eggs and young of the species used to be collected from nesting colonies, a practice which may still occur³.

References 1. del hoyo et al. (1996). 2. Hayman et al. (1986). 3. Hockey et al. (2005).

Text account compilers Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Lucy Malpas (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Dromas ardeola. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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