FORAGING ECOLOGY OF PALE-FACED SHEATHBILLS IN COLONIES OF SOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEALS AT KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA

The Pale-faced Sheathbill (Chionis alba) is an opportunistic predator- scavenger. During spring in Antarctica it foraged in colonies of south ern elephant seals, obtaining placentas, pup carcasses, milk from nurs ing cows, blood, and feces. Afterbirths and pup carcasses constituted the bulk of the food consumed. Daily consumption estimates averaged 67 g/bird for placenta and 11 g/bird for pup carcasses, which are 54% an d 26% of daily energy requirements, respectively. Sheathbills spent 86 % of the day foraging or displaying and 14% resting or preening. Activ ely feeding birds spent 38% of the rime searching for food, 20% feedin g, 23% resting, 14% on comfort activities, and 3% in agonistic behavio rs.