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MarinePlatform nestHuge · 2.4 kg
ID tip
An adult Australasian gannet is 84–91 cm (33–36 in) long, weighs 2.3 kg (5.1 lb), and has a 170–200 cm (67–79 in) wingspan. The two sexes are generally of a similar size and appearance, though a 2015 field study at Pope's Eye and Point Danger colonies found females to be 3.1% and 7.3% heavier respectively. Females also had a slightly larger ulna and smaller bill. The plumage is white with black flight feathers on the wings, and central rectrices of the tail. Some individuals have more extensive black plumage of their tail feathers. There is a sharp demarcation between light and dark plumage. Voice: The Australasian gannet is generally silent at sea and loud and vocal at the colony in the day and at times overnight during the breeding season. Its typical call is a harsh arrah-arrah or urrah-urrah, which is emitted upon approaching or arriving at the colony or as a threat. The calls can vary between individuals, and the female's call is lower pitched than the male's.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Australasian Gannet
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is July, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Australasian Gannet
The map shades 3 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the Australasian Gannet
The Australasian gannet, also known as the Australian gannet or tākapu, is a large seabird of the booby and gannet family, Sulidae. Adults are mostly white, with black flight feathers at the wingtips and lining the trailing edge of the wing. The central tail feathers are also black. The head is tinged buff-yellow, with a pearly grey bill edged in dark grey or black, and blue-rimmed eyes. Young birds have mottled plumage in their first year, dark above and light below. The head is an intermediate mottled grey, with a dark bill. The birds gradually acquire more white in subsequent seasons until they reach maturity after five years.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Cape GannetMorus capensisWhen seen in flight the snow-white body with the black tail, primaries and secondaries, and dark bill makes them easy to identify.
Northern GannetMorus bassanusAn adult northern gannet has a 170–180 cm (67–71 in) wingspan, and is 87–100 cm (34+1⁄2–39+1⁄2 in) long and weighs 2.3–3.6 kg (5–8 lb), making it the largest gannet and the largest seabird native to the western Palearctic.
Side by side: Australasian Gannet vs Northern Gannet · Australasian Gannet vs Cape Gannet
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