Nov. 6, 2022 - Australia - Great Barrier Reef - Part 2

Here are some more birds that we saw at the Great Barrier Reef. All of these photos were taken at Michaelmas Cay. This is a Brown Noddy. It’s an all-brown seabird with an off-white cap. I can’t get over how much the Brown Noddy’s eye resembles a human eye.

NoddyBrownMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

These two Brown Noddys almost look like they are flying in formation.

NoddyBrownfkightMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

There were many Brown Noddys on Michaelmas Cay. They are 15.5 to 17.5 inches (40 to 45 cm) long with a wingspan of 29 to 34 inches (75 to 86 cm). They feed by flying low over the open ocean looking for small fish near the surface.

NoddyBrownMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

We saw four different species of Terns. These are Black-naped Terns. They are about 13 inches (33 to 35 cm) long with a wingspan of 26 inches (66 cm). They are obviously named for the black streaks that start behind each eye and merge at the back of the neck.

TernBlacknapedMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

These are Lesser Crested Terns, and they look a lot like our Royal Terns. They are 15 to 17 inches (35 to 43 cm) long with a wingspan of 34 to 41 inches (88 to 105 cm).

TernLesserCrestedMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

We only saw two Little Terns. They are aptly named; only 8.5 to 11 inches (22 to 28 cm) long with a wingspan of 18.5 to 21.6 inches (47 to 55 cm). In fact, one of my books says the Little Tern is the smallest Tern in the world.

TernLittleMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

Sooty Terns were abundant on Michaelmas Cay. This is a medium-sized Tern; 14 to 18 inches (36 to 45 cm) long with a wingspan of 32 to 37 inches (82 to 94 cm). They have an interesting white stripe where the top of the wing touches the body.

TernSootyMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

The online resource Birds of the World says that Sooty Terns take from four to ten years to mature. During this time, they stay out over the ocean and do not come to land.

TernSootyflightMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

Birds of the World also says that Sooty Tern plumage is not very waterproof. They can apparently land on the water for a brief period but can’t stay there long or their feathers will become waterlogged. That amazes me because it means, for several years, these birds are sleeping while flying in the air.

TernSootyflightMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

This photo had me stumped until I sent a copy of it to our tour leader, Ben. He identified the bird as a juvenile Sooty Tern. (Maybe it’s sleeping!!)

TernSootyjuvenileMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

This Sooty Tern found an interesting piece of driftwood on which to perch.

TernSootyMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914

This is the only Ruddy Turnstone we saw. It’s in non-breeding plumage and looks just like the ones I see in Florida during the winter.

TurnstoneRuddyMichaelmasCayGreatBarrierReefCairnsAU20220914