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Northern Gannet - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 16:25, 20 April 2008 by Nomdeploom (talk | contribs) (add photo in flight)
Morus bassanus
Photo by rayh.
File:D07 1241.jpg
Photo by Nomdeploom
Location: Cap Gaspe', Quebec, Canada.

Identification

L. 87-100cm
Ws. 165-180cm

Adult

  • White with black wingtips
  • Light blue bill
  • Bare, black skin around eye
  • During breeding, head and neck are brushed with pale yellow

Immature

Dark brown in their first year, and gradually acquire more white in subsequent seasons until they reach maturity after five years.

Distribution

North Atlantic.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Isolated stacks or remote islands, sometimes on mainland cliffs. At sea when not breeding, over continental shelf. Occasionally on large inland waters as a result of severe weather.

Behaviour

Diet

Includes small fish, which it takes from a steep, high-speed dive.

Breeding

They normally nest in large colonies, on cliffs overlooking the ocean or on small rocky islands.

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