Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus
The Northern Gannet is a large seabird that can be seen in British waters, particularly around coastal areas and islands, with notable breeding colonies in Scotland and England. It is a common sight in British skies during the summer months, with adults and juveniles present from April to October.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Northern Gannet in the field.
The Northern Gannet can be identified by its sleek, white body, long, pointed bill, and distinctive black-edged wings, as well as its buff-tinged head and nape. Its blue-grey bill and black skin around the eyes and mouth also help to distinguish it from other seabirds.
The Northern Gannet is larger than a Herring Gull, measuring 87-100 cm in length, with a wingspan of 170-180 cm, making it an impressive sight in flight.
The male Northern Gannet has a mainly white plumage with a buff-tinged head and nape, which becomes more pronounced during the breeding season, and dark brown-black feathers edging its wings.
The female Northern Gannet is similar to the male, with no significant differences in plumage, although juveniles are mostly grey-brown and take five years to reach full adult plumage.
The Northern Gannet's call is a loud, guttural grunt, often heard at breeding colonies, while in flight, it makes a sharp, high-pitched "kraa" sound.
Northern Gannets are skilled divers, feeding on fish and other marine prey by plunging into the sea from heights of up to 30 metres, and are also known for their distinctive, arrow-like flight style, with their long wings held straight out from their body.
The Northern Gannet can be confused with other large seabirds, such as the Cormorant or Shag, but its white plumage, black-edged wings, and distinctive bill shape help to distinguish it from these species.
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