Northern gannet

Northern gannet

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) is a seabird species belonging to the gannet family, Sulidae. It is native to the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, breeding in Western Europe and North America.

Description

The Northern Gannet is a large bird, with a wingspan of up to 2 meters. It has a long, slender body, a pointed tail, and a large, sharp beak. The adult bird is predominantly white, with black wingtips and a yellowish head.

Habitat and Distribution

Northern Gannets are found in the North Atlantic, from the coast of North America to Western Europe. They breed on cliffs and islands, where they form large, dense colonies. The largest colony is located on Bass Rock, Scotland, which is home to over 150,000 birds.

Behaviour and Diet

Northern Gannets are known for their spectacular diving behaviour, plunging into the sea from a height of up to 40 meters to catch fish. Their diet primarily consists of herring and mackerel, but they also eat other small fish and squid.

Conservation

The Northern Gannet is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, they face threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change, which could impact their food supply and breeding sites.

See also

• Seabird
• Atlantic Ocean
• Bass Rock