Falkland Islands 'Black Bird' resident breeder. Length 18 cm (7 inches) Tame ground bird, most common on outer islands which have remained without introduced predators. They feed mainly on animal matter, along shores and in the surf for marine amphipods, on insect larvae, and scavenge for regurgitated feed at seabird colonies.

Tussac birds like boulder and sand beaches with kelp and backed with tussac grass to provide shelter and a nesting ground. They breed between September and February with one to three eggs. They often double brood.

C. a. antarcticus is restricted to the Falklands and a similar race C. a. maculirostris is endemic to southern Patagonia.

Sources include: Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods.

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