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