About the Black Noddy
The black noddy, also known as white-capped noddy, is a species of tern in the family Laridae. It is a medium-sized seabird with black plumage and a white cap that closely resembles the lesser noddy with which it was at one time considered conspecific. The black noddy has slightly darker plumage and dark rather than pale lores.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The black noddy has a length of 35–37 cm (14–15 in), a wingspan of 66–72 cm (26–28 in) and a weight of 98–144 g (3.5–5.1 oz). It has dark plumage and a pale crown. There is a small white crescent under each eye and a white spot above. It has long tapering wings and a truncated tail. The sharply pointed bill is black. The feet are fully webbed and are black in most subspecies but orange in melanogenys. Black noddies (Anous minutus marcusi) Rock Islands.jpg
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mexico, France, Colombia, Japan, Ecuador, India, Equatorial Guinea, Chile, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Niue, Tuvalu.
When to see it
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Lesser NoddyAnous tenuirostrisThe lesser noddy is 30–34 cm (12–13 in) in length with a wingspan of 58–63 cm (23–25 in) and a weight of 97–120 g (3.4–4.2 oz).
Grey NoddyAnous albivittaThe grey noddy is 28–31 cm (11–12 in) long with a wingspan of 46–60 cm (18–24 in) and a weight of about 75 grams (2.6 oz).
Blue NoddyAnous ceruleusThe blue noddy is 25–28 cm (9.8–11.0 in) in length and has a wingspan of 46–60 cm (18–24 in).
Learn the Black Noddy for real
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