About the Cape Gannet
The Cape gannet is a large seabird of the gannet family, Sulidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
When seen in flight the snow-white body with the black tail, primaries and secondaries, and dark bill makes them easy to identify. At closer range the distinctive golden crown and nape, which gradually becomes white on the neck, is noticeable. Juveniles and immatures are dark brown with a pale bill, and can resemble the dark-coloured boobies at first glance. Adults are about 84–94 cm (33–37 in) long and have a 171–185 cm (67–73 in) wingspan and weigh ca. 2.6 kg (5.7 lb).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Australasian GannetMorus serratorAn 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.
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: Cape Gannet vs Northern Gannet · Australasian Gannet vs Cape Gannet
Learn the Cape Gannet for real
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