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Black-faced Sheathbill

Chionis minor

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernEndemicVertebratesMarineCavity nestLarge · 494 g
Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor), photo 1
Photo: unknown · CC BY 4.0
Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor), photo 2
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

ID tip

They are dumpy, short-necked, pigeon-like birds with white plumage, black bills, caruncles and facial skin. This species measures 38–41 cm (15–16 in) in length, 74–79 cm (29–31 in) in wingspan and weighs 460–730 g (1.01–1.61 lb), with males being slightly larger than females. Voice: Loud, high-pitched, strident and staccato calls.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Black-faced Sheathbill

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 7 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.

About the Black-faced Sheathbill

The black-faced sheathbill, also called the lesser sheathbill or paddy bird, is one of only two species of sheathbills, aberrant shorebirds which are terrestrial (land) scavengers of subantarctic islands.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus) Snowy SheathbillChionis albusA snowy sheathbill is about 380–410 mm (15–16 in) long, with a wingspan of 760–800 mm (30–31 in).

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