Snowy Sheathbill
Chionis albus
LCLeast Concern
- Family
- Sheathbills (Chionidae)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
Overview
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 is the only land bird native to the Antarctic continent.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Diet: Scraps, eggs, carrion and invertebrates.
How to identify it
- Plump, all-white, pigeon-like shorebird
- Pinkish, warty face and a horny sheath over the bill
- Scavenges around penguin and seal colonies
Voice
Harsh calls.
Where to see it
- Antarctic Peninsula
- South Georgia
Range and habitat
Breeds Antarctic Peninsula and satellite islands, South Shetland, South Orkney, and South Georgia islands; winters to coastal south-central Chile and east-central Argentina to Cape Horn and Falkland Islands.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Continents
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Snowy sheathbill
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
