Noddies

Black noddy / Anous minutus / Family - Laridae

Noddies are related to terns but have some distinctive characteristics that set them apart. Unlike terns, noddies have wedge-shaped tails, the outer tail feathers becoming shorter.

While terns prefer to nest on the ground, noddies such as the black noddy (right), nest in trees, particularly Pisonia trees. Noddys' flight is swift, erratic and normally low over the sea.

Most noddies have brown plumage, although one species is blue-grey.

Habitat

Noddies are distributed throughout islands in the tropical and sub-tropical oceans and do not range far from the coast. Noddies nest amongst the branches of trees and bushes making nests of sticks and seaweed.

Reproduction

In courtship the Noddy, nods its head vigorously towards the female, hence its name. Both adults incubate the eggs for up to 5 weeks.

Feeding

Noddies rarely dive below the surface. They feed largely on small fish skipping above the water, and often can be observed in large flocks where fish are jumping when under attack from below by tuna and other large game fish.

Threats

Unlike most seabirds, noddies tolerate humans close to the nest. However, great care should be taken when visiting known breeding grounds for seabirds. Walking or sitting carelessly can destroy eggs or chicks.

Apart from human disturbance, natural pressures such as storms and cyclones also affect seabird numbers. The effects of these natural events can be considerable, but can be tolerated because they are irregular. Unfortunately careless human activity is much more likely to delay or prevent a colony's recovery from natural disasters.

There are many ways we can protect birds and their habitats:

• During the breeding season, some islands of the Great Barrier Reef are closed to all visitors. For example, the Brook Islands are completely off limits during summer to protect the thousands of Pied Imperial Pigeons that migrate from Papua New Guinea to nest there.
• Special fire regimes are in place to manage vegetated islands and cays.
• Preservation of the mangrove forests is vital, not only for birds and other animals, but also to maintain the natural tidal flows and to offset the destructive effects of cyclones.
• Pollution control is necessary to protect the Reef from excessive sediment, rubbish and waste that affect critical mangrove, mudflat and inner reef habitats, and alter food supplies.
• Controlling feral animals will help to reduce predation on nesting birds and young.
• Control of introduced plants will allow native vegetation to regrow.
• Controlling beach access and vehicles on sand dunes will help to maintain these features and protect vulnerable ground-nesting birds. Dunes are a natural part of beaches and are our first line of defence from coastal erosion due to rising sea levels.