Chionis minor
The Black-faced Sheathbill, *Chionis minor*, is a remarkable, medium-sized, all-white bird, often described as an 'Antarctic pigeon' due to its appearance and terrestrial habits. Measuring 34-41 cm in length with a wingspan of 74-82 cm and weighing between 350-585 g, its most distinctive field marks include its pristine white plumage, a prominent black facial patch extending from the bill to behind the eye, a stout, yellowish bill topped by a blackish, horny sheath or caruncle, and sturdy pin...
Exclusively found on coastal areas of sub-Antarctic islands, preferring rocky shores, beaches, and areas immediately surrounding seabird and seal colonies for both foraging and nesting.
An extreme opportunistic omnivore, its diet consists of carrion, eggs, chicks, regurgitated food, feces, invertebrates, small fish, and seal afterbirth, primarily obtained through scavenging and kleptoparasitism.
Black-faced Sheathbills are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging. They are highly opportunistic scavengers and kleptoparasites, adept at snatching food from other seabirds and seals. Their foraging techniques include pecking at carrion, consuming regurgitated food, feces, eggs, chicks, ...
The Black-faced Sheathbill is strictly confined to the sub-Antarctic islands of the southern Indian Ocean. Its primary breeding strongholds include the Kerguelen Islands, Crozet Islands, Prince Edward Islands, Marion Island, Heard Island, McDonald Islands, and Amsterdam Island. It is largely a re...
Least Concern
- The Black-faced Sheathbill is one of only two sheathbill species globally, and one of the very few land birds endemic to the sub-Antarctic islands. - Despite their common name, they are not closely related to true pigeons; the nickname 'Antarctic pigeon' refers to their ground-dwelling and some...