Lesser Noddy

Overview

The lesser noddy (Anous tenuirostris), also known as the sooty noddy, is a seabird in the family Laridae. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the black noddy, a relationship confirmed by molecular studies. The species is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Length of 30–34 cm with a wingspan of 58–63 cm.
• Plumage is brownish black, with a lighter forehead and crown.
• Smaller and slightly paler than the similar black noddy.
• Features pale lores rather than dark ones.

Habitat

Found near the coastlines of Comoros, Kenya, India, the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. The subspecies A. t. melanops is found in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia.

Did you know?

Giant tortoises have been observed hunting this bird on Fregate Island in the Seychelles.