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Where do sheathbills live?

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Illustration of a crab plover (Dromas ardeola), showing a slender wading bird with long legs, a long pointed black bill, white head and underparts, and contrasting black wings and back. — Charadriiform Crab plover (Dromas ardeola)

Sheathbills (family Chionididae) are shorebirds that live in the south polar regions, specifically around the borders of Antarctica and on subantarctic islands. They are the only bird family confined to these cold southern latitudes.213

While they may be encountered at sea hundreds of miles from land, they are typically found in small parties along the shore. They are known to frequent expedition camps and are often seen foraging in intertidal areas or scavenging near penguin colonies and whaling stations.21