Lesser Noddy
NameLesser Noddy
Common NameLesser Noddy
Scientific NameAnous tenuirostris
FamilyLaridae
Wingspan (cm)50
Length (cm)32
Weight (g)105
Plumage DetailsOverall dark sooty-brown to blackish plumage, with a distinct pale grey to white cap extending from the forehead to the nape. It has dark lores, a slender, pointed black bill, and dark legs and feet.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include various harsh, chattering, or squeaky calls, often described as 'karr-karr' or 'churr', especially around breeding colonies.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound throughout the tropical Indian Ocean, including islands such as the Seychelles, Maldives, Chagos Archipelago, Mauritius, and Reunion, extending into parts of the western Pacific.
Identifying FeaturesSmall size, Dark sooty-brown plumage, Pale grey to white cap, Slender black bill, Buoyant flight
Description
The Lesser Noddy is a small, slender tern characterized by its dark sooty-brown plumage and contrasting pale grey to white cap. It is a highly pelagic species, spending most of its life at sea but returning to tropical islands to breed in large colonies.
