About Chionis albus (J.F.Gmelin, 1789)
The snowy sheathbill has the scientific name Chionis albus (J.F.Gmelin, 1789). This species reaches 380–410 mm (15–16 in) in length, with a wingspan of 760–800 mm (30–31 in). Its plumage is entirely pure white, with the only exception being its pink, warty face. The species’ Latin scientific name translates to "snow white". On a daily basis, sheathbills spend 86% of their time hunting for food, and the remaining 14% resting. Snowy sheathbills are distributed across Antarctica, the Scotia Arc, the South Orkneys, and South Georgia. Populations of snowy sheathbills that live in the farthest southern ranges migrate north during the winter season.
