Colours
Distinguishing features
Size
- Up to 30 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Up to 61 cm
Synonyms
Similar taxa
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Grey Noddy distribution map
Distribution and habitat preferences
It occurs in subtropical and warm temperate waters of the south Pacific Ocean. The subspecies P. a. albivitta breeds on Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, northern New Zealand (particularly the Kermadec Islands) and southern Tonga (on 'Ata and probably 'Eua). P. a. skottsbergii is found on Henderson Island, Easter Island and Sala y Gómez. P. a. imitatrix breeds on the Desventuradas Islands off the coast of Chile. Some specimens have also been found in Australia, Pitcairn Islands, San Abrosio and San Feliz Islands and Ellice Islands. (Wikipedia)
Local abundance
- Australia: They are occasional visitors to Australia's east coast.
Behaviour
It feeds in shallow water, not moving far from the breeding colonies. It gathers in large feeding flocks which can contain thousands of individuals. (Wikipedia)
Diet
They feed by hovering over the water and dropping down to pick food from the surface. Plankton forms the bulk of the diet and small fish are also eaten. (Wikipedia)
