Brown noddy
Largest noddy tern, dark brown plumage, tropical worldwide distribution.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The brown noddy (Anous stolidus) is a seabird in the family Laridae, the largest of the noddies. It is a tropical seabird with a worldwide distribution, ranging from Hawaii to the Tuamotu Archipelago and Australia in the Pacific Ocean, from the Red Sea to the Seychelles and Australia in the Indian Ocean, and in the Caribbean to Tristan da Cunha in the Atlantic Ocean. The brown noddy is notable for its colonial nesting habits and its protected status in India's PM Sayeed Marine Birds Conservation Reserve.
- Scientific name
- Anous stolidus
- Length
- 38–45 cm (15–18 in)
- Wingspan
- 75–86 cm (30–34 in)
- Clutch size
- 1 egg
- Incubation period
- 33 to 36 days
- Fledging period
- 6 to 7 weeks
- Subspecies
- 4
Lore & Background
The brown noddy was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 under the binomial name Sterna stolida. The genus Anous was introduced by James Francis Stephens in 1826, with both genus and specific names meaning 'stupid' or 'foolish' in Ancient Greek and Latin respectively. Four subspecies are recognized: A. s. pileatus, A. s. galapagensis, A. s. ridgwayi, and A. s. stolidus.
In breeding, the brown noddy is colonial, usually nesting on cliffs, trees, or bushes, and occasionally on the ground. The nest is a platform of sticks and twigs. Nuptial displays involve bowing and nodding, courtship feeding, and the transfer of a small fish from male to female. A single pink cream egg with lilac and chestnut maculation is laid, incubated by both sexes for 33 to 36 days. The chick grows quickly, reaching parental weight in three weeks, and fledges at six to seven weeks, sometimes weighing more than the parents before losing weight after flight begins.
The brown noddy forages by swooping over water to catch small squid, molluscs, aquatic insects, and fish such as sardines and anchovies, and also feeds on fruit, mostly screw pine fruit.
Reader's Guide
The brown noddy is significant as the largest of the noddy terns, with a distinctive dark chocolate-brown plumage and pale crown. Its worldwide tropical distribution makes it a key species for studying seabird ecology across the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. The bird's colonial nesting behavior and platform nests on cliffs or trees illustrate adaptations to tropical island environments. Its protected status in India's PM Sayeed Marine Birds Conservation Reserve highlights conservation efforts for seabirds. The species' taxonomy, established by Linnaeus and refined by Stephens, reflects early ornithological classification. The brown noddy's breeding biology, including biparental incubation and rapid chick growth, provides insights into life-history strategies of tropical seabirds. Its diet, combining fish, squid, and fruit, shows dietary flexibility. The bird's name, derived from terms meaning 'stupid,' is a historical curiosity. Overall, the brown noddy serves as a representative of tropical seabird diversity and conservation needs.
Did You Know?
- The brown noddy is the largest of the noddies, distinguished from the black noddy by its larger size and dark brown rather than black plumage.
- The genus name Anous and the specific name stolidus both mean 'stupid' or 'foolish' in Ancient Greek and Latin.
- A single egg is laid per breeding season, incubated by both parents for 33 to 36 days.
- The brown noddy is protected in India's PM Sayeed Marine Birds Conservation Reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Brown noddy?
The Brown noddy (Anous stolidus) is a tropical seabird in the gull family Laridae and the largest of all noddy terns. It is easily identified by its uniformly dark brown plumage.
How big is the Brown noddy?
Adults measure roughly 38 to 45 centimetres from beak to tail, with a wingspan of about 75 to 86 centimetres. These dimensions make it the biggest member of the noddy group.
Where does the Brown noddy live?
It has a truly circumglobal tropical range, spanning from Hawaii through the Tuamotu Archipelago to Australia in the Pacific, from the Red Sea to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, and from the Caribbean to Tristan da Cunha in the Atlantic.
How does the Brown noddy raise its young?
It nests colonially and lays just a single egg per breeding cycle. The egg is incubated for 33 to 36 days, and the chick flocks at around six to seven weeks of age.
Why is the Brown noddy notable in conservation?
In addition to being the largest noddy tern, it enjoys protected status within India's PM Sayeed Marine Birds Conservation Reserve, underscoring its ecological importance in the Indian Ocean region.
More in Birds of the Indian Ocean 1-24
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