Alternative Names (Synonyms)

• Northern Gannet
• Jan-van-Gent (Holland).
• Fou de Bassan (France).
• Baßtölpel (Germany).
• Sula (Italy).
• Alcatraz atlántico (Spain).
• Havssula (Sweden).

(B162)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Species Editor

Major References

Aviculture references:

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Gulls, Cormorants, Gannets, Puffins.

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Accommodation of Casualty Seabirds
• Hand-rearing Seabirds
• Catching and Handling of Seabirds
• Feeding of Casualty Seabirds
• Release of Casualty Seabirds
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

• 87-100cm (B162); 85-97cm (B164); 95cm (B165); 86-96cm / 34-37 ins. (B166)

Wingspan:

• 165-180cm (B162); 170-192cm (B164)

Winglength:

• 460-520mm (B162)

Head

Legs

Plumage

• Upperparts: White.
• Head and crown: Pale yellow; Neck thick.
• Underparts: White; throat: White.
• Wings: White, with black wing tips (final quarter of wing length). Some black edges to wing feathers; underside (whole wing) White, with dark-grey wing tips, darkening to black at edges. 
• Tail: Pointed, medium length; Upper and under: white with twin black strips down center.

(B162, B164, B166)

(First Year)

• Upperparts: Speckled dark brown; rump: white.
• Wings: Speckled dark brown; underside: grey with black edges
• Underparts: Grey.

(B162, B164, B166)

(Second Year)

• Upperparts: Dark brown, with head and neck grey-white; close to adult colour in third year.
• Wings: White with heavy dark-brown speckling; forewing: white; wing-tips: dark brown.
• Underparts: Pale grey.

(B162, B164, B166)

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

• Colony nesting, evenly spaced, close together.
• Nest sites re-used from year to year.
• Located on cliff ledges and steep slopes (10-200m above sea), also on flatter ground.
• Formed of large, compacted mound of seaweed, grass and feathers, bound together with earth and excreta.
• 30-60cm in height, with a shallow cup, but may become much higher (2m) over several years of use.
• Cup lined with grass, seaweed and feathers.

(B162, B163, B166)

Egg clutches

(B162, B163, B166)

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Once fledged, solitary until join a feeding group. (B162, B163)

Social Behaviour

• Highly gregarious.
• Nest in colonies of 10 to over 1000 birds.
• Feeding areas frequented by groups.
• Ritualised bowing displays to indicate nest-site ownership.
• Nests defended, particularly by males.

(B162, B163)

Sexual Behaviour

• Lifelong monogamy.
• Competition (fighting and calling) intense for nesting sites near established pairs.
• Lengthy greeting ceremonies between mated pairs, featuring bill-fencing, head shaking and calling.

(B162, B163)

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

• Swim.
• Dive underwater from air or water-surface.
• Take off and land from water or ground.

(B166)

Adults

• Fish.

(B162, B163, B166)

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Britain: Common in coastal regions year round. (B162, B163, B166)

London: In the London Area, a scarce visitor, with 60 records to 2000. (J322.65.w1)

Migration:

• Partially migratory.
• Some pairs remain at breeding latitudes all year round.
• Other birds migrate southwards as far as tropical West Africa.

(B162)

--

Habitat

• Temperate seawaters and coastline.
• Cliffs and isolated islands.

(B162, B163, B166)

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Increasing. (B162)

Captive Populations

Trade