Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="northern-gannet"></birdfyi-bird>Hunting by plunge-diving, the Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) folds its wings into an arrow and enters the water from heights of about 30 m at speeds approaching 100 km/h; air sacs beneath the skin and a reinforced skull absorb the impact. Adults are brilliant white with black wingtips and a golden wash over the head and nape, and carry a long, pointed, pale blue-grey bill with serrated edges. The species ranges across the North Atlantic, breeding in dense colonies on steep rocky islands and sea stacks from Newfoundland to Iceland, Britain and Norway, and wintering at sea. Mackerel, herring and capelin dominate the diet. A single egg is incubated for 42-46 days. Bass Rock, off Scotland, holds over 150,000 birds, the largest single seabird colony in the world.
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À propos
The northern gannet is a spectacular plunge-diver, folding its two-meter wingspan into an arrow shape to hit the water at up to 100 km/h. Air sacs under the skin and a reinforced skull protect it from the impact. Bass Rock in Scotland hosts over 150,000 gannets, the largest single colony of any seabird in the world.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 93,0 cm | 36.6 in |
| Envergure | 180,0 cm | 70.9 in |
| Poids | 3000,0 g | 105.82 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Brilliant white body with black wingtips and a golden-yellow wash on the head and nape. Blue-grey bill with dark lines and pale blue eye-ring.
Bec
Long, straight, pointed, pale blue-grey bill with serrated edges
Habitat & Range
Open ocean and coastal waters. Breeds in dense colonies on steep rocky islands and sea stacks.
Répartition géographique
North Atlantic, breeding from Newfoundland and Gulf of St. Lawrence to Norway, Iceland, and Britain. Winters at sea south to the tropics.
Diet & Feeding
Shoaling fish, especially mackerel, herring, and capelin. Plunge-dives from heights of 30 meters at speeds up to 100 km/h.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 42-46 days. Fledging: 82-99 days.
Taille de la couvée
1
Son
Chant
Loud, harsh 'urrah-urrah' grunting and croaking at breeding colonies on sea stacks. Also gives a softer 'karrr' in flight. Large colonies are extremely noisy during the breeding season.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Suliformes (Boobies & Cormorants) |
| Famille | Sulidae (Gannets & Boobies) |
| Genus | Morus |
| Espèces | Morus bassanus |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Basstölpel |
| Spanish | Alcatraz Atlántico |
Distribution
Northern Gannet has been recorded in 5 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Foire aux questions
What does the Northern Gannet eat?
Where does the Northern Gannet live?
Is the Northern Gannet endangered?
How does the Northern Gannet nest?
What does the Northern Gannet sound like?
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What order and family does the Northern Gannet belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Sulidae family