Northern Gannet Preparing to Fly
The Northern Gannet is a seabird and is the largest member of the gannet family, Sulidae. It has the same colors as the Australasian Gannet and is similar in appearance. Nesting in colonies as large as 60,000 pairs, this bird is a spectacular high-speed diver. Cape St. Mary's is home to the third largest Northern Gannet colony in North America. Young birds are dark brown in their first year, and gradually acquire more white in subsequent seasons until they reach maturity after five are 81–110 cm (32–43 in) long, weigh – kg (– lb) and have a 165–180 cm (65–71 in) wingspan. Before fledging, the immature birds (at about 10 weeks of age) can weigh more than 4 kg ( lb). Their plumage is white with black wing tips. The bill is light bluish. The eye is light blue, and it is surrounded by bare, black skin. During breeding, the head and neck are brushed in a delicate yellow.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Bird Rock, Cape St. Mary, Newfoundland, Canada
Photo credit: © Perla Copernik / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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