Black noddy

The black noddy, also known as the white-capped noddy, is a captivating medium-sized seabird belonging to the Laridae family. Distinguished by its striking black plumage and prominent white cap, it closely resembles the lesser noddy but features slightly darker feathers and dark lores. First described by Friedrich Boie in 1844, its genus name, "Anous" translates to "stupid" or "foolish" in Ancient Greek, while its species name, "minutus" means "small" in Latin.

There are seven subspecies of the black noddy, each inhabiting different geographic regions. These birds measure approximately 35–37 cm in length, have a wingspan of 66–72 cm, and weigh between 98–144 grams. They are characterized by long wings, a short tail, a black bill, and fully webbed feet—typically black, though one subspecies has orange feet.

One of the most charming aspects of black noddies is their unique breeding display, wherein they continuously dip their heads. Their diet primarily comprises fish and squid, which they catch by skimming the sea surface. Fascinatingly, they are quite comfortable around humans and often build their nests in trees. These nests, constructed from dried leaves and coated with bird droppings, produce guano that fertilizes the soil and benefits plant life on coral islands.

Black noddies have a widespread presence in tropical and subtropical seas, with colonies in the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean, the central Atlantic, and the northeast Indian Ocean. They generally stay within 80 kilometers of their breeding colonies while at sea and return to their roosts at night. In Pacific cultures, these birds were invaluable to navigators, who used their daily foraging flights to locate hidden atolls.