Waterbird Wednesday week 11 - Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) is a common seabird, with a breeding population on 220'000 pairs in the UK. They are seen frequently flying over the sea searching for food. They feed on fish, caught when the birds dive underwater. They breed in large colonies, such as Bass Rock. They are very distinctive, even when distant - the long, sharp wings, long neck and pointed tail give a unique shape when flying.
Identification
Very distinctive shape when flying - very long winged with sharp wingtips, pointed tail, long neck and long, sharp beak all give a very elongated shape. Mostly seen over the sea when mainly glides, feeds by diving underwater to catch fish.
Adult
Black wingtips and yellow neck distinctive. Light grey bill with some black markings. Otherwise clean white.
Juvenile
Mainly brown, with white "armpits" and a black tail. Darker bill than adult with less obvious facial markings.
Immature
Between juvenile and adult plumage, slowly moults into more adult-like plumage. In 2nd calendar year shows little white, in 3rd calendar year is arounds half adult-like and in 4th calendar year only has a few black marks on the trailing edge to the wing.
