The Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris or Kelek in Creole is smaller and slimmer than the Brown Noddy and has a very long narrow beak. Its head has a larger paler area than in the Brown Noddy, but the demarcation between light and dark areas is less sharp.
Lesser Noddys nest in the southeast season (from April to October) always in trees. They build platform nests out of wilted Pisonis leaves, on the branches of trees on rat-free islands. Lesser Noddies feed in flocks, flying within a few metres of the water and swooping to pick small fish and squid from just beneath the surface.
The three largest colonies of this bird in the world are on Aride, Cousin, and Cousine.
Facts
Scientific name: Anous tenuirostris
Creole name: Kelek
Wingspan: 60 –70 cm
Population in Seychelles: At least 300,000 PAIRS on the granitics, a much smaller number on the coral islands
World distribution: Western Indian Ocean, Western Australia
Distribution in Seychelles: Breeds on rat and cat-free islands including Aride, Bird, Cousin, Cousine, and Fregate.
Nest: In trees, especially Mapou (Pisonia); a small nest of leaves is built. One egg laid.
Diet: Small fish, squid
Identification: A smaller noddy, with a long slender beak
See more:
Species Fact Sheet at BirdLife Data Zone
(Photo credit: Dave Rogers)