for a good tooth cleaning it will sit with its mouth wide open. However, there are no pictures or videos in existence of a plover or any other bird cleaning food from the mouth of a crocodile. It is a wader, the only member of the genus Pluvianus and was formerly placed in the pratincole and courser family, Glareolidae. In this way, both are able to … Egyptian plovers and crocodiles have a unique symbiotic relationship. Well, not the Egyptian Plover bird. The Egyptian plover (Pluvianus aegyptius), also known as the crocodile bird, is a wader, the only member of the genus Pluvianus. The bird gets food and the crocodile gets its mouth cleaned. The last page summarizes that this is why in Liberia, “the fearsome crocodile allows the little plover bird to hop about in his mouth cleaning his many teeth” (32). We need you to answer this question! The Egyptian Plover bird recognizes this invitation,and if one is nearby it will fly into the mouth of the crocodile, eat the food stuck in its teeth, and fly away .The crocs “appreciate” the much-needed dentistry and do not eat the birds The plover gets a meal and the … The plover and crocodile exist in a symbiotic relationship – the plover pulls the annoying bits of meat and parasites out of the crocodile’s teeth and gums for its own food. This cleans the crocodile’s teeth and keeps his mouth fresh and free from infections. Hi Adam, This story originates from the Greek philosopher (and natural historian) Herodotus, who described a relationship between the Egyptian plover and the Nile crocodile where the bird would clean parasites and remove rotting meat stuck between the crocodile's teeth. This is a hot topic in ornithology as well as at almost every campfire in Africa. Labels: crocodile, crocodile bird, egyptian plover, mutualism, myths, trochilus. All that food rots their teeth and probably causes them some pain. The Pluvianidae has Egyptian plover, also known as the crocodile bird, as the sole member of its own monotypic family. Download this stock image: Egyptian Plover (Pluvialis aegypticus) cleaning the teeth of a Nile Crocodile. What kind of bird cleans alligator or crocodile teeth? This picture is a digital composite - BCY87C from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. They share adaptations such as that they both wade for food. There would be no relationship – and no plover – if the crocodile suddenly found another way of dealing with its problems. The question implies a purpose in the bird that is not scientifically justifiable. The Egyptian plover, a wader sometimes called the crocodile bird, is alleged to have a symbiotic relationship with the Nile crocodile, flying by as the crocs' mouths are open to drop bits of meat into them, feeding them. The plover ears the bugs, parasites and dirt that is in the crocodile's mouth. The bird in question is said to be either Egyptian plover or wintering white wagtail. So, the Plover bird gets her food and the crocodile gets his mouth cleaned. Because crocodiles cannot use dental floss, they get food stuck in their teeth. It doesn't exist for any purpose, but exploits a niche that no other does in finding its food. Formerly placed in the pratincole and courser family, Glareolidae, it is now regarded as the sole member of its own monotypic family Pluvianidae. Plover birds are frequently found hanging out around crocodiles in Egypt. The plover comes along and, using his sharp little beak like a toothpick, removes the bits of meat from between the crocodile's teeth. When Crocodile agrees, she hops in his mouth, applies the medicine to his sore tooth, and proceeds to clean his teeth for bits of fish for herself and her children. This cleans the crocodile’s teeth and keeps his mouth fresh and free from infections. The Egyptian plover bird sees the invitation, and if one is nearby it will fly into the mouth of the crocodile, eat the food stuck in its teeth, and fly away unharmed. This feeds the plover and removes parasites from the croc's mouth.