Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Grey Noddy

Anous albivitta

The Grey Noddy, or Grey Ternlet, is a seabird of modest size, with a length ranging from 28 to 31 centimeters and a wingspan stretching between 46 and 60 centimeters. It tips the scales at approximately 75 grams. This bird is characterized by its pale grey plumage, which is almost white on the head and underparts, but transitions to a darker shade on the back, tail, and wings. The wings are adorned with dark tips and a white trailing edge, and are predominantly white on the underside. The eye of the Grey Noddy is a striking black, accentuated by a black patch in front, and a contrasting white patch behind. Its bill is thin and pointed, cloaked in black, while its legs and feet are also black, save for the pale yellow webs.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Grey Noddy, look for its fairly long and notched tail, and the distinctive coloration of its plumage. Juveniles can be distinguished by their browner appearance and darker, more contrasting flight feathers. The bird's large black eye, surrounded by a black and white facial pattern, is a key feature to note.

Habitat

The Grey Noddy is found in subtropical and warm temperate waters of the south Pacific Ocean, where it frequents shallow waters not far from its breeding colonies.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across the south Pacific. The subspecies A. a. albivitta breeds on Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, the Kermadec Islands near northern New Zealand, and southern Tonga. A. a. skottsbergii is found on Henderson Island, Easter Island, and Sala y Gómez, while A. a. imitatrix breeds on the Desventuradas Islands off the coast of Chile. Occasional sightings have been reported in Australia, the Pitcairn Islands, San Ambrosio and San Felix Islands, and the Ellice Islands.

Behaviour

The Grey Noddy is known to feed in large flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands. It employs a feeding strategy of hovering over the water and plucking food from the surface. Its diet primarily consists of plankton, supplemented by small fish.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in colonies situated on rocky islands. The nest is typically placed on a sheltered rocky ledge or beneath a boulder or vegetation. A single, whitish egg with dark markings is laid and incubated by both parents for about 32 days. The chick is nourished with regurgitated food and takes its first flight after roughly 35 days.

Song & Calls

The Grey Noddy is generally a silent bird, but it does emit a soft, purring call.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Grey Noddy is predominantly planktonic, with small fish also contributing to its nourishment. Its feeding behavior involves skimming the ocean's surface, often in the vicinity of its breeding grounds.

Conservation status

The Grey Noddy is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it does not face any immediate threat of extinction.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Grey Noddies on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Kylie J
Kylie J
16 Dec 2024 - 12:54am
Australia

More Gulls, Terns, Skimmers

A photo of a Black Noddy (Anous minutus)

Black Noddy

Anous minutus
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.