Subspecies
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No
information has been entered yet.
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Synonyms
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Additional
English names: Common noddy.
Additional German names:
Noddiseeschwalbe.
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Identification
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Body
length 37-45 cm, wing span 77-86 cm.
Only species of the genus that has been
recorded from Germany. It differs from
the closely related Anous minutus and
Anous tenuirostris mainly by its size
(the other species are smaller), the
longer tail feathers, and the light grey
under wing coverts (dark grey in the
other species). It could be confused
with other dark terns, especially from
the genus Chlidonias. However, Anous
stolidus is the only tern species of our
region that, if viewed from below, has
an entirely dark body. All other species
have at least white undertail coverts,
or a white tail underneath.
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Distribution
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Widely distributed and common in the
tropical regions of the Atlantic,
Pacific and Indian Ocean. It is breeding
on the northern coasts of Australia and
South America, all coasts of the Gulf of
Mexico, and on most islands in its
range. Occurs in Germany only a very
rare accidental.
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Biology
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A mainly
pelagic species, except during breeding
season. Can be encountered up to 50
nautical miles off shore.
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