Brown noddy
Anous stolidus
Identification Tips:
- Sexes similar
- Fairly large tern with dark, slender, pointed bill
- Long, dark, wedge-shaped tail
- Very dark brown plumage
- Black legs
- Limited range in United States-mostly pelagic
Adult:
Juvenile:
Similar species:
The juvenile Sooty Tern is similarly dark but has a pale belly, a forked
tail, and lacks the pale cap. The Black Noddy is very similar but is smaller,
has a more slender bill, a more prominent white cap, and is blacker.