Black-faced Sheathbill
NameBlack-faced Sheathbill
Common NameBlack-faced Sheathbill
Scientific NameChionis minor
FamilyChionidae
Wingspan (cm)78
Length (cm)39
Weight (g)600
Plumage DetailsEntirely pure white plumage. The face features a prominent black wattle or caruncle around the eyes and base of the bill. The bill is stout and dark, and the legs and feet are dark grey to black.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, guttural squawks and croaks, often given when competing for food or defending territory.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound on subantarctic islands in the southern Indian Ocean, including the Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, and Heard and McDonald Islands.
Identifying FeaturesAll-white plumage, Black facial wattle/caruncle, Stout dark bill, Dark legs and feet, Terrestrial behavior around seabird and seal colonies
Description
The Black-faced Sheathbill is a medium-sized, all-white bird with a distinctive black facial wattle and stout dark bill. It is a highly opportunistic scavenger, often found around seabird and seal colonies on subantarctic islands, where it feeds on a variety of food sources.
