Northern Gannet [Morus bassanus]
Description
The Northern Gannet is a large seabird of the gannet family, Sulidae. Adults are 81–110 cm (32–43 in) long, weigh 2.2–3.6 kg (4.9–7.9 lb) and have a 165–180 cm (65–71 in) wingspan. Both sexes are similar in appearance. The species is known for its pointed beak, yellowish head, and white body with black tips on the wings. Northern Gannets are found in the North Atlantic, where they typically breed in large colonies on cliffs. They feed primarily on fish, which they catch by high-speed dives into the sea.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Birds
Aves
|
| Order |
Cormorants and Shags
Suliformes
|
| Family |
Gannets and Boobies
Sulidae
|
| Genus |
Gannets
Morus
|