A dark, tern-like bird, rare on Texas coast and Dry Tortugas in Florida. Adult, unusual in North America, is black with white cap, slender black bill, and short black legs. Juveniles and immatures are entirely dark with sharply contrasting white cap and pale wing coverts. Brown Noddy is browner overall with thicker bill; white on head is limited to forehead.

Length: 34 (cm) Wingspan: 76 (cm)

Habitat:

Open ocean, coastal areas.

Behavior:

Nests colonially in trees. Flight is swooping, graceful.

Feeding:

In flight, picks prey from water's surface. Eats small fish and invertebrates.