Blue noddy
A tropical seabird with five subspecies and a disputed taxonomy.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The blue noddy (Anous ceruleus), also known as the hinaokū, manuohina, or blue-grey noddy, is a seabird in the family Laridae. It inhabits open, shallow seas in tropical and subtropical regions, with a range spanning American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga (Niua), Tuvalu, and Hawaii, and has occurred as a vagrant in Australia and Japan.
- Scientific name
- Anous ceruleus
- Length
- 25–28 cm (9.8–11.0 in)
- Wingspan
- 46–60 cm (18–24 in)
- First described by
- Frederick Debell Bennett in 1840
- Original binomial
- Sterna cerulea
- Number of subspecies
- 5
Lore & Background
The blue noddy was first formally described by Frederick Debell Bennett in 1840 under the binomial name Sterna cerulea, with the specific name ceruleus meaning 'dark blue' in Latin. It was later placed in the genus Procelsterna, but a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2016 found that the five noddies formed a single clade, with the blue noddy and grey noddy nested between species in the genus Anous; the authors proposed merging all noddies into Anous and treating Procelsterna as a junior synonym.
A seabird observed at Necker Island, the French Frigate Shoals, and Nīhoa during a 1902 cruise by the USFC Albatross was initially thought new to science and named Procelsterna saxatalis (Necker Island tern), but later reclassified as a subspecies of the blue noddy. The species has five recognized subspecies: A. c. saxatilis, A. c. ceruleus, A. c. nebouxi, A. c. teretirostris, and A. c. murphyi. The grey noddy (Anous albivitta) replaces it to the south; the two were formerly considered a single species but are now often split.
Reader's Guide
The blue noddy is significant as a seabird of tropical and subtropical shallow seas, with a wide distribution across the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii and many island nations. Its taxonomic history reflects ongoing scientific debate: originally described as Sterna cerulea, it was moved to Procelsterna, and a 2016 molecular study suggested merging all noddies into the genus Anous, leaving Procelsterna as a junior synonym. The species also illustrates how field observations can lead to taxonomic confusion—the Necker Island tern, initially described as a new species, was later recognized as a subspecies of the blue noddy. Its five subspecies, ranging from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to the Gambier Islands, highlight geographic variation. The relationship with the grey noddy, formerly considered conspecific but now often split, underscores the fluidity of species boundaries in ornithology. The blue noddy's presence as a vagrant in Australia and Japan further demonstrates its dispersal capabilities.
Did You Know?
- The blue noddy was first described by Frederick Debell Bennett in 1840 under the name Sterna cerulea.
- A seabird observed in 1902 at Necker Island was initially thought to be a new species, Procelsterna saxatalis, but later reclassified as a subspecies of the blue noddy.
- The blue noddy has five subspecies, including A. c. saxatilis and A. c. murphyi.
- The grey noddy replaces the blue noddy to the south; the two were formerly considered a single species but are now often split.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Blue Noddy?
The Blue Noddy (Anous ceruleus) is a small tropical seabird in the gull family Laridae, locally known as hinaokū or manuohina and sometimes called the blue-grey noddy. It is a widespread but relatively compact species of the Pacific.
Where does the Blue Noddy live in the wild?
It breeds across open, shallow tropical and subtropical waters stretching from American Samoa and the Cook Islands through Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Hawaii. Rare vagrant records also place it in Australia and Japan.
How big is a Blue Noddy?
Adults measure roughly 25 to 28 centimeters (about 10 inches) from beak to tail, with a wingspan in the range of 46 to 60 centimeters (18 to 24 inches).
Who first described the Blue Noddy and what was its original name?
Frederick Debell Bennett gave the species its formal scientific description in 1840, originally placing it in the genus Sterna under the binomial Sterna cerulea. It was later transferred to the genus Anous, where it remains today.
How many subspecies does the Blue Noddy have, and is its taxonomy settled?
Five subspecies are currently recognized across its Pacific range, though the precise boundaries and validity of those groups remain a point of ongoing debate among ornithologists.
More in Birds of the Pacific Ocean 1-24
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