Australasian Gannet
NameAustralasian Gannet
Common NameAustralasian Gannet
Scientific NameMorus serrator
FamilySulidae
Wingspan (cm)185
Length (cm)94
Weight (g)2550
Plumage DetailsAdults are predominantly white with black primary flight feathers, giving the wingtips a black appearance. The head and nape are a distinctive golden-yellow, contrasting with a pale blue eye-ring. The bill is greyish-blue with fine black lines.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations are typically harsh, guttural squawks and grunts, particularly loud and frequent within breeding colonies.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on islands off the coasts of New Zealand, Victoria, and Tasmania in Australia. Forages in the surrounding temperate marine waters.
Identifying FeaturesLarge size, White body with black wingtips, Golden-yellow head and nape, Pale blue eye-ring, Plunge-diving behavior
Description
The Australasian Gannet is a large seabird known for its spectacular plunge-diving technique to catch fish. Adults have a striking appearance with a white body, black wingtips, and a distinctive golden-yellow head and nape. They are highly social, nesting in dense colonies on offshore islands and coastal cliffs.
