Gannet Bird

Gannets are large white birds with yellowish heads; black-tipped wings; and long bills. When it spreads its wings, it measures 2 meters in width. Gannets swim and fly almost their entire life in and above the sea, only coming on land to nest. In order to take flight, they need to catch a good wind under their wings. On land that would mean a running start, but gannets are too clumsy on land. That’s why they nest high up on steep coasts, where the strong sea-wind is forced upward against the rocky wall. All they need to do to take off is to spread their wings.

Juveniles are covered in dark brown and white-specked feathers. It takes between two and five years for the young to gain full adult plumage. During this time the skin around the eyes becomes bright blue and the beak changes from brown to steely blue.

The gannet tracks its prey from the air and catches it by making a so-called jabbing dive. In order to seize its prey, the animal dives straight down into the water from a height of 30 meters. Folding its wings back and stretching its bill straight down, it reaches a speed close to 100 kilometers per hour, cleaving through the water surface like a living torpedo. The enormous blow is absorbed by a strengthened skull and a protective air cushion under the skin, a kind of airbag. Once under water it continues its hunt, first plunging through the first four meters and then swimming after the frightened fish.

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