Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-faced Sheathbill
Chionis minor
Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Oceans & Seabirds.
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The Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor) is a member of the Chionidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 494 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Chionidae Sheathbills
- Genus Chionis
- Species minor
Quick facts
- Weight
- 494 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Chionidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-faced Sheathbill is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Black-faced Sheathbill is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor) belongs to the Chionidae family of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers IO islands of subantarctic w, c South Indian Ocean.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 494 g, with a wing length of about 22.7 cm and a tail of around 10.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 8,219 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-faced Sheathbill?
The Black-faced Sheathbill is a large bird that weighs around 494 g.
Where does the Black-faced Sheathbill live?
The Black-faced Sheathbill is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering IO islands of subantarctic w, c South Indian Ocean, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Black-faced Sheathbill belong to?
The Black-faced Sheathbill (Chionis minor) belongs to the Chionidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Black-faced Sheathbill eat?
The Black-faced Sheathbill is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Black-faced Sheathbill migrate?
The Black-faced Sheathbill is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Black-faced Sheathbill endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black-faced Sheathbill make?
1 real field recording of the Black-faced Sheathbill — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-faced Sheathbill's range?
The Black-faced Sheathbill has a mapped global range of about 8,219 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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