Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p92
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 92/152)
Character Range: 294034–296768

Davies 1996). It forages in the inshore waters surrounding such islands, often along the line of breakers or in lagoons (Higgins and Davies 1996), and disperses up to 180 km out into the oceanic zone to forage (Surman and Wooller 2003) and up to 950 km when not breeding (Surman et al. 2018). Out at sea it often rests on buoys, flotsam, ships and on the open water (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Although its migratory movements are poorly known and the species is present all year round at most tropical colonies, it is seasonally absent from subtropical colonies and is known to disperse to the open ocean after breeding (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The timing of breeding varies throughout the species range (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It may breed colonially in groups numbering up to 100,000 or more pairs (Higgins and Davies 1996) although it also nests almost solitarily depending on the availability of nesting sites (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Even when not breeding the species remains gregarious and can occur in huge flocks in some areas, although it is more usually observed in smaller flocks of 50-100 individuals (Higgins and Davies 1996). The nest may be a simple layer of debris or a more elaborate construction of seaweed and sticks (del Hoyo et al. 1996), and may be placed in a number of sites including flat shingle beaches, bare ground, cliff ledges, offshore stacks, low bushes and tall trees (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It nests in colonies that can be very dense or more open depending on the availability of nesting sites (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Its diet consists predominantly of small fish as well as squid, pelagic molluscs, medusae and insects (del Hoyo et al. 1996; Higgins and Davies 1996; Surman and Wooller 2003).

Population Estimates and Trends
The global population is estimated to number between 180,000–1,100,000 individuals (Delany and Scott 2006; BirdLife International 2019). The global population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any decreases or substantial threats. Significant populations occur in Western Australia (130,136–151,636 pairs; Burbidge et al. 1996) and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland (King 1996) but the total Australian population is unknown, and trends are not available. A 2019 survey of Ashmore Reef Marine Park found Common Noddies to be the second most abundant bird species at Ashmore with over 40,000 recorded (Cannell and Surman 2020).

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 127
Species profiles

Conservation Concerns and Actions
Invasive species have caused declines in Common Noddy population throughout its range. Egg and chick harvesting have occurred in certain parts of the range but is not considered a threat in Australia. Human disturbance at