Black Noddy

Anous minutus Order: CHARADRIIFORMES Family: Skuas, Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)
Black Noddy Portrait
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Black Noddy Variations:

Black Noddy Variations

Black Noddy: Immature
Default description
Black Noddy: Immature
Black Noddy: Adult
Default description
Black Noddy: Adult

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General

Black Noddy: medium-sized tern, very dark brown-black with white cap, white (lower) half-eye ring, and long slender bill. Wedge shaped tail has small notch at tip. Sexes are similar. Juvenile appears more brown, white cap is more distinct.

Range and Habitat

Black Noddy: Tropical species, rare in North America. A few, mostly immatures, seen in Dry Tortugas among Brown Noddies. Casual to coastal Texas.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"crick crick crick", "kehrrrrr"

Interesting Facts

 The Black Noddy is also known as the Hawaiian or White-capped Noddy.

 The oldest known individual was 25 years old.

 They typically remain within 50 miles of their breeding colonies year-round. Courtship consists of head nodding and fish transfers.

 A group of noddys are collectively known as an "affirmation", "niddle", and "sleepiness" of noddys.



Author

John Schwarz

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Range Map for Black Noddy

Related Birds

Black Tern
Brown Noddy
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Family Tern (Laridae)_blue
Species Anous minutus
Length12 - 13.5 Inches
Wingspan30 Inches

Black Noddy

Black Noddy: medium-sized tern, very dark brown-black with white cap, white (lower) half-eye ring, and long slender bill. The wedge shaped tail has small notch at tip. Black legs and feet. Strong, swift and fluttering flight. Typically flies close to the surface of the ocean. AKA White-capped Noddy.

● Song: "crick crick crick", "kehrrrrr"

● Foraging & Feeding: Black Noddy: Feeds far out at sea. Often feeds in flocks. Eats small fish and squid picked from the surface; also swims in shallow water and dives beneath surface to catch food.

● Breeding & nesting: Black Noddy: Monogamous. Colonial. No nesting material if crevice is used, otherwise dead tree branches and seaweed; lined with shells, rock, and bits of coral. Built by both sexes. One white to pale red egg, tinted with buff. Incubation lasts 34 to 39 days by both sexes. Young remains in nest 39 to 52 days, and is fed by both parents.

● Similar species: Black Noddy: Brown noddy slightly larger and lighter, with stouter bill.

Flight Pattern

Pelagic, flies close to water.
Black Noddy: Adult
● Range & Habitat: Black Noddy: Tropical species, rare in North America. A few, mostly immatures, seen in Dry Tortugas among Brown Noddies. Casual to coastal Texas.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationUncommon to rare, Casual in US
MigrationMigratory
Weight4.2 Ounces