The answer to the question “What bird picks food out of crocodile teeth?” is the Egyptian plover. The Egyptian plover is a small wading bird found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It has a symbiotic relationship with crocodiles and Nile monitors where it feeds on parasites and food stuck in their teeth. This curious bird behavior has earned them nicknames like “crocodile bird” and “crocodile dentist”.
In the wild, here’s how the relationship works:
How the Egyptian Plover and Crocodile Relationship Works
Step | Description |
---|---|
1 | The Egyptian plover approaches the crocodile stealthily along the shoreline or while the crocodile is basking. |
2 | When within range, the bird moves swiftly to avoid any sudden snapping. It may make a swift flyby over the croc’s head to gauge its reactions. |
3 | If the crocodile remains calm and permits approach, the plover then gingerly picks and feeds on parasites, loose scales, meat and other debris stuck in the croc’s teeth. |
4 | The crocodiles seem to understand the cleaning service being performed and will even lay their jaws open to allow the bird access. |
5 | The Egyptian plover gets an easy meal while the crocodile receives dental hygiene and grooming. |
This peculiar symbiotic relationship likely developed over thousands of years of evolution in Africa. Some key points about how it works:
Key Points
- The plover is able to avoid being eaten itself due to the crocodile’s relatively poor eyesight and its ability to approach camouflaged against the shoreline.
- The crocodile tolerates and recognizes the service being performed, receiving dental cleaning and grooming in exchange for permitting the bird to pick its teeth.
- Both species benefit – the Egyptian plover gets access to food in the teeth and parasites on the crocodile’s body while the crocodile gets dental hygiene and grooming.
Researchers have observed that crocodiles seem to permit certain individual plovers to approach and clean their teeth repeatedly. The trust between the two species and this access takes time to develop.
More About the Egyptian Plover
The Egyptian plover (Pluvianus aegyptius) has light gray plumage with black bands on its head and chest along with vivid yellow eyes and long yellow legs. Here are some more key facts about this bird:
Key Facts
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Scientific Name | Pluvianus aegyptius |
Average Length | 9 to 11 inches |
Habitat | River and lake shores, wetlands |
Range | Sub-Saharan Africa |
Diet | Insects, worms, small amphibians and reptiles |
Behavior | Forms symbiotic relationships with crocodilians and monitors |
Some key points about the Egyptian plover’s characteristics:
- It is a relatively small shorebird, similar in size to a killdeer.
- Inhabits wetland environments like riverbanks and lakeshores.
- Found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in over 30 countries.
- Feeds on invertebrates normally but picks parasites from crocodile teeth for an easy meal.
- Exhibits symbiotic, mutualistic behavior with crocodilians.
The Egyptian plover is classified in the genus Pluvianus of the plover bird family. It is the only member of its genus.
Crocodile Teeth Facts
To understand how the Egyptian plover picks food from crocodile teeth, it helps to understand some crocodile tooth basics:
Crocodile Tooth Facts
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Number of teeth | Around 60-68 teeth at a time |
Composition | Solid enamel coat over dentine core |
Shape | Pointed conical shape |
Arrangement | 4-5 teeth in each section of upper and lower jaw |
Replacement | Lost teeth are replaced constantly throughout life |
Key points about crocodile teeth:
- Their teeth are shaped as sharp cones designed to grasp and shred prey.
- Crocodiles continuously replace lost or broken teeth throughout their lifespan.
- Food and debris often get stuck in the gaps between teeth.
- This provides an opportunity for birds to pick out particles for food.
The Egyptian plover is able to avoid potential danger from all those sharp teeth and gain access to particles stuck within them.
The Crocodile Bird in Captivity
The Egyptian plover’s crocodile tooth-picking behavior has been observed both in the wild and in captivity. Zoos and aquariums that house crocodilians sometimes introduce Egyptian plovers into exhibits.
Some examples of the crocodile bird in captivity:
- The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida displays Egyptian plovers with American alligators.
- The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center introduced Egyptian plovers into their American alligator habitat.
- The San Antonio Zoo showcases plovers cleaning the teeth of African dwarf crocodiles.
- The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden mixed Egyptian plovers in with their collection of West African dwarf crocodiles.
Zoos provide a controlled setting to observe this cleaning symbiosis closely. The crocodiles may be more accustomed to people, making it easier for the birds to approach and exhibit their tooth-picking behavior.
Conclusion
The Egyptian plover has developed a fascinating symbiotic relationship with crocodilians over thousands of years. By carefully approaching and picking food debris from crocodile teeth, the clever bird gets an easy meal. The crocodile tolerates the behavior and even seems to enjoy the dental cleaning service provided. This unique interspecies interaction lets both parties benefit in balance. The Egyptian plover exemplifies how evolution can produce specialized behaviors and remarkable symbiotic relationships over time.