Snowy sheathbill
| Snowy sheathbill | |
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| File:Chionis blanc - Pale-faced Sheathbill.jpg | |
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C. albus
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| Binomial name | |
| Chionis albus Gmelin, 1789
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The snowy sheathbill (Chionis albus), also known as the greater sheathbill, pale-faced sheathbill, and paddy, is one of two species of sheathbill. It is usually found on the ground. It the only land bird (excluding Penguins) native to Antarctica.[3]
Description
A snowy sheathbill is about 380–410 mm (15–16 in) long, with a wingspan of 760–800 mm (30–31 in). It is pure white except for its pink, warty face; its Latin name translates to "snow white".[4]
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.[3]
Feeding
The snowy sheathbill does not have webbed feet. It finds its food on the land. It is an omnivore, a scavenger, and a kleptoparasite. It steals krill and fish from penguins and sometimes eats their eggs and down-covered chicks. It also eats carrion, animal feces, and, where available, human waste. It has been known to eat tapeworms that have been living in a chinstrap penguin's intestine.[4]
Gallery
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Snowy Sheathbills.jpg
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Pochwodziob (js).jpg
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Pochwodziob2 (js).jpg
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Snowy Sheathbill.jpg
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.. |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Chionis alba |
- Neotropical Birds Online A very thorough treatment of the Snowy Sheathbill's distribution, life history, behavior and conservation challenges.
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