Black noddy
Seabird with black plumage and a white cap.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The black noddy (Anous minutus), sometimes called the white-capped noddy, is a medium-sized seabird belonging to the tern family, Laridae. Its plumage is black, topped with a white cap, and it looks very similar to the lesser noddy; the two were once thought to be the same species. The black noddy can be distinguished by its slightly darker feathers and dark lores, rather than pale ones.
German naturalist and lawyer Friedrich Boie first officially described the species in 1844, giving it its current scientific name. The genus name *Anous* comes from ancient Greek for "stupid" or "foolish," while the species name *minutus* is Latin for "small." Seven subspecies are recognized, ranging across the Pacific, Caribbean, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
The bird measures 35–37 cm (14–15 in) in length, with 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, a pale crown, a small white crescent under each eye, and a white spot above. Its wings are long and tapering, its tail is truncated, and its sharply pointed bill is black. The feet are fully webbed and black in most subspecies, but orange in *A. m. melanogenys*.
These birds likely earned the name "noddies" because both sexes constantly dip their heads during breeding displays. They are remarkably tolerant of humans, sometimes allowing themselves to be picked up from the nest. They feed on fish and squid by flying low over the sea surface and snatching prey, and may join other seabirds where predatory fish drive small fish to the surface.
Nests are flat platforms, often built in tree branches from dried leaves and cemented with bird droppings. Only one egg is laid each season, and nests are reused in following years. The trees used vary, but *Pisonia* is the most common; large trees may hold several nests. The guano from these birds enriches the soil with nutrients, which is vital for plant life on coral islands.
The black noddy is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas, with large colonies across the Pacific and scattered ones in the Caribbean, central Atlantic, and northeast Indian Ocean. At sea, it usually stays within 80 km of its breeding colonies. Birds return to their colonies or other islands to roost at night.
- Scientific name
- Anous minutus
- Family
- Laridae
- Length
- 35–37 cm (14–15 in)
- Wingspan
- 66–72 cm (26–28 in)
- Weight
- 98–144 g (3.5–5.1 oz)
- Number of subspecies
- 7
- First described by
- Friedrich Boie, 1844
Lore & Background
The black noddy has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical seas, with colonies widespread in the Pacific Ocean and more scattered across the Caribbean, central Atlantic, and northeast Indian Ocean. At sea it is usually seen within 80 km of shore, and birds return to their colonies or other islands to roost at night. The genus name Anous is ancient Greek for 'stupid' or 'foolish', while the specific name minutus is Latin for 'small'.
Reader's Guide
The black noddy is significant as a widespread tropical seabird that plays a key role in nutrient cycling on coral islands. Its guano adds large quantities of nutrients to the soil, which is of great importance to plant communities on coral islands. The species is very tolerant of humans, even to the extent that they can be picked up off the nest. Nests consist of a level platform, often created in the branches of trees by dried leaves covered with bird droppings. One egg is laid each season, and nests are re-used in subsequent years. The trees used are various, but Pisonia is most often used. The black noddy feeds on fish and squid, gathering them by flying low over the sea surface. It may associate with other seabirds in areas where predatory fish drive small fish to the surface.
Did You Know?
- The black noddy was first formally described by German naturalist Friedrich Boie in 1844.
- The genus name Anous is ancient Greek for 'stupid' or 'foolish'.
- The black noddy has seven subspecies, including A. m. melanogenys from the Hawaiian Islands to the Kermadec Islands.
- The feet are black in most subspecies but orange in the subspecies melanogenys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Black Noddy?
The Black Noddy (Anous minutus) is a medium-sized seabird in the tern family Laridae, easily spotted by its solid black body contrasted with a white cap on the head. It typically measures 35–37 cm long with a wingspan around 66–72 cm and weighs roughly 98–144 g.
How do I tell a Black Noddy apart from a Lesser Noddy?
The two look almost identical, but the Black Noddy has slightly darker plumage overall and dark lores (the strip between the eye and the bill), while the Lesser Noddy shows pale lores. They were long treated as a single species before taxonomists split them apart.
What does the genus name 'Anous' actually mean?
It derives from an ancient Greek word that translates to 'stupid' or 'foolish.' The name was applied to the group of noddy terns, though the precise reason for that choice is not fully documented.
Who first formally described the Black Noddy?
German naturalist and lawyer Friedrich Boie published the species' official description in 1844, assigning it the binomial name Anous minutus that is still in use today.
How many subspecies of Black Noddy are recognized?
Seven subspecies have been identified across the bird's Pacific Ocean range. The species is also occasionally called the white-capped noddy, a nod to its distinctive pale head patch.
More in Birds of the Pacific Ocean 1-24
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