Common name: Lesser Noddy
Scientific name: Anous tenuirostris
Family: Laridae

Size:
Body length: 30–34 cm
Wingspan: 65–72 cm
Weight: 120–160 g

Identification:
A small, dark seabird with a slender build and long, pointed wings. Plumage is mostly dark brown to sooty black, with a slightly paler crown and forehead giving a soft contrast. The bill is slender and dark, and the tail is slightly forked. Compared to other noddies, it appears more delicate and streamlined.

Habitat:
Tropical and subtropical coastal waters, offshore islands, coral reefs, and open seas. Rarely seen far inland.

Status in the UAE:
Uncommon to rare visitor. Occasionally recorded offshore, mainly along the eastern coast.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on small fish and marine invertebrates, often picking prey from the water surface.

Behavior:
Usually seen flying low over the sea, often in small groups. Unlike many terns, it rarely plunge-dives, instead picking food from the surface. Often associates with feeding fish or marine activity. Nests in colonies on remote islands.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)