Brown Noddy
Anous stolidus
Dark-bodied tern of tropical offshore waters, rarely seen from mainland. Breeds in colonies on rocky and sandy offshore islets. Sometimes found with offshore feeding flocks of boobies and other terns. Feeds by picking from the surface, not plunge-diving like most terns. Adult solidly dark brown with white cap. White limited to the forehead on immature.
Identification
The brown noddy is 38–45 cm (15–18 in) in length with a wingspan of 75–86 cm (30–34 in). The plumage is a dark chocolate-brown with a pale-grey or white crown and forehead. It has a narrow incomplete white eye-ring. The tail is long and wedge-shaped, and the feet and legs are dark.
Taxonomy
The first formal description of the brown noddy was by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Sterna stolida. The genus Anous was introduced by the English naturalist James Francis Stephens in 1826. The genus name Anous is Ancient Greek for "stupid" or "foolish". The specific name stolidus is Latin and also means "stupid" or "foolish".<p>Four subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Anous stolidus
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
- Genus
- Anous
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The brown noddy is a colonial bird, usually nesting on cliffs, trees, or bushes. It occasionally lays its eggs on the bare ground. The nest itself is usually a platform nest, made of sticks and twigs.<p>In their nuptial displays, the female and male bow and nod to each other. Courtship feeding and flights accompany this, in addition to the transfer of a small, freshly caught fish from the male to the female.<p>This bird lays a clutch of one pink cream egg with lilac and chestnut maculation. The egg usually measures around 52 by 35 millimetres (2.0 by 1.4 in). This egg is incubated by both sexes for 33 to 36 days, with each parent incubating for one or two days while their mate is feeding at sea. After the chick hatches, it grows quickly; usually reaching the weight of the parents in three weeks. When it fledges, about six to seven weeks after hatching, it can sometimes weigh more than the parents, although this weight is lost quickly once it starts to fly. At this point, the fledgling is starting to rely on its parents less and less as it learns how to provide for itself.<p>The brown noddy forages by swooping over the water and dipping down to catch small squid, other molluscs, aquatic insects and fish (such as sardines, anchovies, etc.). It will also feed on fruit, mostly the screw pine fruit.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sanford's Sea-Eagle
Icthyophaga sanfordi
A large, dark russet-colored eagle with a much paler creamy-white head, a distinctive dark eye-line, and a massive bill. In flight, very broad wings and diamond-shaped tail are obvious. Found from sea level to 1500 meters of elevation, preferring coastal areas. Most similar to juvenile White-bellied Sea-Eagle, but Sanford’s is more uniformly rufous, with the combination of a pale head and dark tail being diagnostic. Voice described as a high-pitched, honking “ya-ya-ya…”
Snowcap
Microchera albocoronata
Tiny hummingbird; male is unique and beautiful: his body is the color of red wine, and he has a bright white cap. Unmistakable in limited range. Female is less striking, but note small size, snowy white underparts, and short straight bill. Most often seen feeding at small purple flowers in gardens and forest edges
Rufous-vented Niltava
Niltava sumatrana
Chunky flycatcher of Sumatran highland forests. Male is bright royal blue above with a darker face and orange underparts. Female is brown overall with extensive gray on the underparts and gray tinges on the nape and wings. Inhabits montane broadleaved forests. Moves with mixed flocks and makes sallies from perches. Song is a bright but wavering series of tinkling whistles.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.