Wednesday 5 June 2019

Wild Bird Wednesday 359 - Black Noddy

The Black Noddy (Anous minutus) is a medium-sized species of tern found on the northern sections of eastern Australia.  You may not be surprised to know that they occur on Lord Howe Island and this is where I took these pictures.

On one of the beaches at the northern end of the island there is a small colony of these birds nesting in some pine trees.  They seem reasonably calm when approach, but a long lens is always the best option for nesting birds.

What is not clear from these pictures is that it was actually rather windy when I was taking the pictures, and framing the shots was hard as the birds were being blown around a bit.

You can see that some of the birds in these pictures are well developed chicks rather than adult birds - and one is not that well developed at all.

It was great to spend a few minutes with these birds, but I soon left them to their rather wind tossed perches.
















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19 comments:

  1. Handsome birds with striking eyes. Love that little chick!

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  2. They are rather special Stewart. The way the their black and white plumage makes for a picture is quite something.

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  3. Interesting looking birds, I love the youngster on the side of the nest. Cheers Diane

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  4. The branch photos at the end are stunning!

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  5. Oh very nice photo series ! I've never been able to see these birds, even in the Indian Ocean. Congratulations and thank you for this great sharing.

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  6. I can't imagine a more spectacular tern. I would have been thrilled to have been with you.

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  7. Amazing how the black appears to fade into the white. Beautiful creatures. Great photos.

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  8. Beautiful birds! I've never seen these before. The white cap is really striking!

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  9. It looks so unique and special...
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have a great week!

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  10. Handsome birds!
    Thanks for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday!
    Hope you are having a great week!

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  11. Hari OM
    Fabulous shots as always Stewart - but I must say I particularly like the last two. Something statuesque - possibly museum display? - about them! YAM xx

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  12. Nice series of shots..He looks very stern in one of the nesting pictures...Love their white caps..Thanks for sharing..Have a good week..

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  13. Fine shots! Those birds rather look like our fairy terns, Manu 'o ku
    The Honolulu official bird. Although ours our white. They spend much of the day at sea, and then come back and nest in shore areas

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  14. Love those shots! Especially the head on view...he looks so angry!

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  15. He has an intense stare! Thanks for hosting.

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  16. Beautiful birds! Very memorable birds because of their color and shape.

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  17. Great photos, and beautiful birds! Thank you for sharing!

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