Fauna Flora Photography

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

Northern Gannet is a large bird, a wingspan up to 180cm, breeding in large colonies along the northern areas of the coast to the atlantic. This species is interesting to watch, due to its spectacular diving for fishes. When diving towards the water surface, the bird can reach a speed of up to 100km/h.

Specs

Length85-105cm
Weight2.5-4.5kg
Wingspan185-195cm

Common Names

GermanBasstölpel
EnglishNorthern Gannet
FrenchFou de Bassan
SpanishAlcatraz común

Taxonomy

OrderSuliformes
FamilySulidae
SpeciesMorus bassanus

How to Identify

From far away, you may see them as just another gull, white with black tips on the wing. As soon as they dive for a fish you are able to identify them clearly. Closer, the typical form of the beak and head, optimized to break into the water surface on impact, its yellowish head and blue ring around the eye allow the identification.

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) - Flatrock Cave - 2017-08-14

Where and When to Spot

Along the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland Bay of Lawrence. I was lucky to watch them fishing at Flatrock Cove, north of St. John’s, NL.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - x - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.