Black-faced Sheathbill (species: Chionis minor) in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Vertebrata > Gnathostomata > Tetrapoda > Aves > Charadriiformes > Chionidae > Chionis > Chionis minor (gallery)
Chionis minor
Black-faced Sheathbill


©Yan Ropert-Coudert: Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor)

©B.navez: Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Chionidae
Genus Chionis
Species Chionis minor
Status least concern
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Colours

         

Distinguishing features

They are dumpy, short-necked, pigeon-like birds with white plumage, black bills, caruncles and facial skin. (Wikipedia)

Size

  • Up to 41 cm (Length of specimen)

Wingspan

  • Up to 79 cm

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Coastlines and intertidal zones of subantarctic islands, especially around seabird and seal colonies, as well as the vicinity of human habitation. (Wikipedia)

Audio recordings


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Territorial calls recorded at Jardin Japonais, Possession Island, Crozet in France

© Yannig Coulomb
(source)

Diet

Sheathbills are opportunistic omnivores, predators and scavengers, feeding on strandline debris, algae and other vegetation, as well as on invertebrates, fish, seabird eggs and chicks, seal milk, blood, placentas, carrion, faeces, rodents and human refuse. (Wikipedia)

Web resources

References

  • Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (2004). Field Guide to Birds of Australia: 7th Edition Penguin Group (Australia), Camberwell, Victoria.