Northern Gannet
NameNorthern Gannet
Common NameNorthern Gannet
Scientific NameMorus bassanus
FamilySulidae
Wingspan (cm)172.5
Length (cm)93.5
Weight (g)2950
Plumage DetailsAdults have brilliant white body plumage with black primary wing feathers. The head and nape are a creamy yellow, which can vary in intensity, and they possess a pale blue eye-ring. The bill is long, pointed, and greyish-blue.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations are typically harsh, guttural calls such as 'arrah-arrah' or 'urrah-urrah', especially heard in dense breeding colonies. They also produce hissing sounds during interactions.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatsmarine, coastal cliffs, rocky islands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on islands and coastal cliffs in the North Atlantic Ocean, including parts of Europe (e.g., UK, Ireland, Iceland, Norway) and North America (e.g., Canada). They disperse widely across the North Atlantic during non-breeding seasons.
Identifying Featureslarge size, brilliant white plumage with black wingtips, creamy-yellow head, pale blue eye-ring, long, pointed greyish-blue bill, spectacular plunge-diving behavior
Description
The Northern Gannet is a large, striking seabird renowned for its spectacular plunge-diving technique to catch fish. Adults exhibit brilliant white plumage with a distinctive creamy-yellow head and black wingtips, making them easily identifiable at sea or in their bustling cliffside colonies.
