Species Profile
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: North Atlantic Gannet, Gannet
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Appearance
The Northern Gannet is a striking seabird with predominantly white plumage, contrasting black wingtips, and a pale yellow head. Its long, pointed bill is blue-grey and has distinctive blue eye-rings.
Gannets do not show obvious sexual dimorphism, so males and females are very similar in size and appearance.
Juveniles are dark brown with white speckles, gradually becoming whiter with each moult. They take 4-5 years to develop their white adult plumage. Adults in breeding plumage display more intense yellow on their heads.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- White
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Blue
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Northern Gannets inhabit the North Atlantic, breeding on rocky cliffs and islands along the coasts of Eastern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Western Europe.
They are particularly numerous around the British Isles, with significant colonies in Scotland. A visit to reserves like Bempton Cliffs in the northeast of England, Troup Head in Scotland or, for the more adventurous, Noup Cliffs in Orkney is recommended.
During non-breeding seasons, they disperse widely across the North Atlantic and into the Mediterranean, with some individuals reaching West Africa. In North America, they can be seen along the eastern seaboard.
Gannets can be seen off the east coast of the USA from the New England coast all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
East Sussex
Isle of Wight
Kent
Northumberland
Norfolk
North Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Sussex
Diet
Northern Gannets primarily feed on fish such as mackerel, herring, and sand eels. They locate prey from the air and dive into the water at high speeds, using their streamlined bodies and air sacs to absorb the impact. Gannets can dive to depths of up to 15 meters in pursuit of their prey.
Behaviour
Northern Gannets are known for their spectacular plunge-diving behaviour, plummeting from heights of up to 30 meters to catch fish. They are highly social birds, forming large, noisy colonies on coastal cliffs during the breeding season. Gannets perform elaborate greeting rituals when pairs reunite at the nest site.
Calls & Sounds
Northern Gannets are noisy birds, especially in their breeding colonies. Their calls include a variety of harsh, grating sounds often described as 'urrah' or 'arrr arrr'.
During courtship and nest relief, pairs engage in a rhythmic duet of guttural sounds, creating a cacophonous atmosphere in large colonies.
Nesting & Breeding
Northern Gannets form monogamous pairs and breed in dense colonies on coastal cliffs. Courtship begins in March or April, with pairs performing elaborate greeting rituals involving mutual preening and bill fencing.
Nests are built from seaweed, grass, and mud, typically on cliff ledges or flat ground. Females lay a single pale blue egg, which both parents incubate for about 44 days.
The chick is born naked but quickly develops down. It fledges after 11-13 weeks, usually in August or September, but remains dependent on its parents for several more weeks.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Northern Gannets face threats from overfishing, which reduces their food supply, and marine pollution, particularly plastic ingestion. Climate change may also affect their breeding success and distribution.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding colonies and marine habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for large white seabirds with black wingtips along coastal areas
- Observe their distinctive plunge-diving behaviour from coastal vantage points
- Visit known breeding colonies in the UK, such as Bass Rock or Bempton Cliffs, during the summer months
- Use a spotting scope to watch their social interactions in the colony
Did You Know?
- Northern Gannets can dive from heights of up to 30 meters and hit the water at speeds of 100 km/h (60 mph).
- They have special air sacs in their face and chest to cushion the impact of their high-speed dives.
- Gannets are long-lived birds, with some individuals reaching over 30 years old in the wild.
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