GALLERIES > BIRDS > CHIONIDAE > PALE-FACED SHEATHBILL [Chinois albus] [plot on map]
Location: Saunders Island, Falkland IslandsGPS: -51.3S, -60.2W, elev=169' MAP Date: January 9, 2010 ID : 7C2V8741 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Paulet Island, AntarcticaGPS: -63.6S, -55.8W, elev=39' MAP Date: January 19, 2010 ID : 5744 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Base Esperanza, AntarcticaGPS: -63.4S, -57.0W, elev=0' MAP Date: January 20, 2010 ID : 7C2V3088 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Paulet Island, AntarcticaGPS: -63.6S, -55.8W, elev=39' MAP Date: January 19, 2010 ID : 5732 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Base Esperanza, AntarcticaGPS: -63.4S, -57.0W, elev=0' MAP Date: January 20, 2010 ID : 6087 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Paulet Island, AntarcticaGPS: -63.6S, -55.8W, elev=39' MAP Date: January 19, 2010 ID : 5748 [3888 x 2592]
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SPECIES INFO
The Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis alba) also known as a Pale-faced sheathbill or Paddy is one of two species of sheathbill. It is usually found on the ground. It is Antarctica's only permanently land-based bird.
Description
A Snowy Sheathbill is about 15-16 inches long, with a wingspan of 30-31.5 inches. They are pure white except for their pink warty faces (Chionis alba means "snow white".)
Range
The Snowy Sheathbill lives in Antarctica, the Scotia Arc, the South Orkneys and South Georgia. Snowy Sheathbills living very far south migrate north in winter.
Diet
The Snowy Sheathbill is a scavenger that will eat anything, including any kind of droppings and steals penguin eggs. A Snowy Sheathbill has been seen eating a tapeworm that had been living in a Chinstrap Penguin's intestine.
Gallery
Snowy Sheathbills
Snowy Sheathbill
Snowy Sheathbill
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