It is a medium-sized seabird with black plumage and a white cap that closely resembles the lesser noddy with which it was at one time considered conspecific.

The black noddy was first formally described by German naturalist and lawyer Friedrich Boie in 1844 under its current binomial name.

[10] These birds may have become known as "noddies" because of the behaviour of both sexes as they constantly dip their heads during their breeding display.

They feed on fish and squid which they gather by flying low over the surface of the sea and picking them up.

[11] The guano produced by these birds adds large quantities of nutrients to the soil which is of great importance to the plant communities on coral islands.