Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
Brown Noddy Anous stolidus
Noddies are dark, tropical terns that often feed far out to sea. There are three species of noddies and the brown noddy is the largest and most widespread. Brownish black all over, apart from a paler crown, it has slender wings, a long, sharp bill, and small, jet-black legs. Brown noddies feed mainly on fish and squid, hovering and then plunging in the same way as terns. They nest on islands throughout the tropics, making nests from twigs and seaweed in trees or on the ground.
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- Order Charadriiformes
- Length 16–18 in (40–45 cm)
- Weight 7–9 oz (200–250 g)
- Habitat Open sea, inshore, oceanic islands
- Distribution Worldwide in tropical waters; present on some islands year-round
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