The brown noddy is a bird I've only heard of in relation to the Galapagos Islands. So I'm surprised to learn that they are found all over the world in tropical areas, although the Galapagos brown noddy, one of four subspecies, is endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
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| These were two of the first brown noddies I saw, standing on boats and flying around Itabaca Channel. |
It was one of the first birds I saw, shortly after landing at the airport on Baltra Island, and taking the ferry to Santa Cruz Island through the Itabaca Channel. Then it was one of the last birds I saw shortly before leaving the Galapagos Islands, at Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz, as well as seemingly present throughout our travels in the Galapagos.
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| The last one I saw, at Bachas Beach. |
It is a handsome bird with chocolate-brown plumage, a whitish crown and forehead, an incomplete white eye ring, and dark legs, feet and bill. It feeds on fish and squid by scooping them out of the water.
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| This and the next two photos are from Vicente Roca Point on Isabela Island. |
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| From Moreno Point on Isabela Island. |
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| Santiago Island, near Espumilla Beach. |
Rather a plain bird compared to some of the others you saw in the Galapagos, but there is something graceful and dove-like about it that is appealing.
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