Gannet
Morus bassanus (Northern gannet)
Adults are large and bright white with black wingtips. They are distinctively shaped with a long neck and long pointed beak, long pointed tail, and long pointed wings. At sea they flap and then glide low over the water, often travelling in small groups. They feed by flying high and circling before plunging into the sea. It breeds in significant numbers at only a few localities and so is an Amber List species.
Where does it live?
Breeding
Coastal cliffs and remote islands with cliffs, ledges and slopes.
Wintering
Spends winter out at sea.
Passage
At sea, offshore.
What does it eat?
Fish
What does it sound like?
Cackling calls at nest
When to see it
They arrive at their colonies from January onwards and leave in August and September. Non-breeding birds can be seen at any time around the coasts and the main migration period offshore is during the autumn.
| Gannet Facts | |
| Eggs | One |
| Incubation | 42-46 Days |
| Fledging | 84-97 Days |
| Maximum lifespan | 21 Years (average 16) |
| Length | 87-100 cm |
| Wingspan | 165-180 cm |
| Weight | 2,400-3,600 g |
The Gannet's World
There are currently estimated to be 50,000 pairs of Atlantic gannets nesting on the Bass Rock, making it the world's biggest single rock gannetry and, in the words of David Attenborough "one of the Twelve Wildlife Wonders of the World". Go to "A Bit of History" to find out about the Bass Rock and its Gannets from author, scientist and world authority on gannet behaviour, Dr Bryan Nelson.
