ML201867521 IBC 1560766

Iruzkina

Snowy Sheathbills - head detail. The Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis alba) is the only land bird native to Antarctica. Although they do not have webbed feet, they are competent swimmers. They are commonly found at penguin and cormorant rookeries. Sheathbills are omnivores and scavengers and will eat almost anything including carrion, animal faeces, regurgitated fish and krill from other birds feeding their chicks and their eggs and chicks if the opportunity arises. This head study of Snowy Sheathbills shows the small dark eyes with fleshy eye-rings, the pink facial caruncles and the stout bill with its strange greenish sheath. Elevation: 0 m. Date added to IBC: February 7, 2019.