Snowy Sheathbill
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 A Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis alba)
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| Chionis alba (Gmelin, 1789) |
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.[2]
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[edit] 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".)[3]
[edit] 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.[2]
[edit] 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.[3]
[edit] Gallery
 Snowy Sheathbills |
.jpg/120px-Pochwodziob_(js).jpg) Snowy Sheathbill |
.jpg/120px-Pochwodziob2_(js).jpg) Snowy Sheathbill |
[edit] References
- ^ BirdLife International (2004). Chionis alba. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 03 July 2007. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ^ a b Briggs, Mike and Peggy (2004). The Encyclopedia of World Wildlife. Parragon Publishing. ISBN 1-40543-679-4.
- ^ a b Lynch, Wayne (September 26, 2001). The Scoop on Poop. Fifth House Books. ISBN 1-894004-59-0.
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