- Chionis alba
Identification
Medium sized, plump hen-like, all white bird; Usually walking across open ground with pigeon like bobbing of head.
Sexes essentially the same with males being generally larger.
Size 34-31 cm, wing 23.4-26.0 cm, wingspan 74-84 cm and weight 460-780 g.
Distribution
South Georgia, South Orkney, South Shetland and Antarctic peninsula, also non-breeder north to the Falklands and southeastern South America in Patagonia, Uruguay and exceptionally northeast Brazil.
Taxonomy
Monotypic
Habitat
Rocky seacoasts.
Behaviour
Normally breeds near penguin or cormorant colonies, nest usually consists of a pile of debris in a cavity, Nests Oct-Mar, eggs usually 2-3 in Dec-Jan and incubated for 28-32 days, fledging occupies 50-60 days, fledging Mar. Fearless - allows close approach, including contact. Will land on ships and explore every possible food source, heedless of human proximity.
Diet and feeding: Omnivorous, stealing krill, fish and other marine prey from penguins, including eggs and small chicks, also carrion, faeces and human refuse.
