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.
- 🇫🇷 Fou de Bassan
- 🇩🇪 Basstölpel
- 🇲🇽 Alcatraz común, Alcatraz atlántico
Characteristics
- Length: 85-105cm
- Weight: 2.5-4.5kg
- Wingspan: 185-195cm
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.
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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.
Observations by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park | - | x | - | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.