Black Noddy
ExploreBirds
Black Noddy
anous minutus
The Black Noddy is a sleek, dark-plumaged seabird that graces tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. Unlike its ground-nesting relatives, this clever member of the tern family is famous for nesting high in tree canopies on offshore islands, often utilizing leaves and guano to construct secure platforms. Known for their delicate silhouettes and acrobatic flight, Black Noddies are a joy to watch as they flutter closely over the ocean surface to snatch up small fish and squid driven upward by underwater predators. These birds are highly social, forming massive, bustling breeding colonies that fill the island air with a cacophony of chattering calls. Because they rely heavily on healthy marine ecosystems, their presence is a key indicator of local ocean health.
Habitat: Typically found on tropical and subtropical offshore islands, cayes, and coral atolls with dense woody vegetation or mangroves for nesting.
Appearance
The Black Noddy is identified by its charcoal-black to dark brown plumage, contrasted sharply by a bright white cap on its forehead that shades gently into a grey nape. It has a long, slender, and slightly down-curved black bill, dark brown eyes, and blackish legs with orange-tinted webs. Smaller and darker than the closely related Brown Noddy, it reaches about 35 to 38 centimeters in length with a wingspan of approximately 65 to 74 centimeters, allowing for highly agile and buoyant flight maneuvers.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusAnous
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Black Noddies use their own guano as a binding agent to glue their nests securely to tree branches.
Their common name 'Noddy' comes from their breeding displays, during which pairs repeatedly nod their heads at each other.
They often forage in symbiotic association with predatory fish like tuna, which push small prey up to the surface.
Unlike many other terns that plunge-dive, Black Noddies rarely submerge themselves, preferring to hover and scoop prey from the surface.
Special abilities
Ability
Arboreal Nest Building
Constructs sturdy nests in trees and shrubs using a mixture of leaves, twigs, and guano, which acts as a natural cement.
Ability
Surface-Dipping Precision
Exhibits exceptional flight control to snatch small fish and squid directly from the ocean surface without getting wet or diving.
Ability
Salt Water Filtration
Possesses specialized supraorbital glands that extract excess salt from the bloodstream, allowing the bird to survive entirely on seawater.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 35+ cm
- Wingspan
- 65+ cm
- Weight
- 0.08+ kg
- Lifespan
- 10+ years
- Top Speed
- 50 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1+
- Incubation
- 30+ days
- Migration Distance
- 1500 km
Diet & Feeding
Feeds primarily on small schooling fish and squid that are forced to the surface by larger marine predators like tuna.
Age differences: Chicks are fed regurgitated, semi-digested fish and squid by both parents until they fledge.
Primary Foods
- Flying Fish
- Squid
- Goatfish
- Lanternfish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
competitor
White Tern
Gygis alba
Competes for nesting sites and foraging grounds in the same tropical island habitats.
mutualism
Pisonia Tree
Pisonia grandis
Uses the branches of this tree for nesting, though sticky seeds can sometimes trap and kill the birds.
eaten by
Polynesian Rat
Rattus exulans
Preys upon eggs and helpless nestlings within the nesting colonies.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Black Noddy?
The easiest way to identify Black Noddy is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Black Noddy?
35+ cm
What is Black Noddy's wingspan?
65+ cm
How much does Black Noddy weigh?
0.08+ kg
How long does Black Noddy live?
10+ years
How fast can Black Noddy move?
50 km/h
What does Black Noddy eat?
Feeds primarily on small schooling fish and squid that are forced to the surface by larger marine predators like tuna.
Where is Black Noddy usually found?
Typically found on tropical and subtropical offshore islands, cayes, and coral atolls with dense woody vegetation or mangroves for nesting.
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