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Northern Gannet

Morus bassanus

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Boobies and Gannets
Northern Gannet, photographed by Hobbyfotowiki

Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · Wikimedia · CC0 1.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Northern Gannet

Large seabird of the Atlantic with long, pointed bill, wings, and tail. Adults bright white with cream-colored head and black wingtips. Takes several years to reach adult plumage; juveniles are all sooty-brown and slowly acquire more white as they mature. Nests in enormous colonies on cliffs in the North Atlantic. Spends most of its life at sea, although often fairly close to land, so they are often visible from shore or on whale watching boats. Dives torpedolike into the ocean for fish. Gathers in large feeding flocks, but sometimes solitary.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 61 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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