#chionidae

[snototter]

A snowy sheathbill (Chionis albus) in Maldonado, Uruguay.

Common names include the snowy sheathbill, pale-faced sheathbill, and paddy.

by Guillermo Menéndez

[herpsandbirds]

Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus), family Chionidae, order Charadriiformes, Ushuaia, Argentina

The only landbird native to the Antarctic continent (found on the Antarctic Peninsula), but are also found on nearby islands and the southern tip of South America.

The opportunistic feeders eat wide variety of items, including feces, carrion, chicks and eggs, and are well known for stealing regurgitated seafood as parents try to feed their chicks.

photograph by Jose | Tropical Birding Tours

[best-bird-tournament]

Sheathbill (Chionidae) family (genus Chionis)

Which is the best bird?

Snowy sheathbill

Black-faced sheathbill

Voting ended onOct 29, 2025

This genus is monotypic in its family.

[animalids]

Snowy sheathbill (Chionis albus)

Photo by Jon Atkinson

[hello-birdies]

Chionis albus by Nigel Voaden

[alonglistofbirds]

[1138/10977] Black-faced Sheathbill - Chionis minor

Order: Charadriiformes Suborder: Charadrii Family: Chionidae (sheathbills)

Photo credit: Tony Palliser via Macaulay Library

[fullfrontalbirds]

Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus)

© Charlie Summers