Northern Gannet
By Mike • November 9, 2007 • 4 commentsThose of us who scan the shores of the North Atlantic are privileged to occasionally encounter that most pulchritudinous of pelagic birds, the Northern Gannet. This seabird in the Family Sulidae is kin to the booby and lethal to any fish foolish enough to feed close to the ocean’s surface; the daring plunge dives of gannets seem death-defying but, thanks to physiological adaptations, the only threat involved is to their prey.
Not only are Northern Gannets the largest seabirds in their range, they place among the most handsome. These sleek seafarers are, in their adult plumage, snow white tipped with black at the wings and crowned with a terrific toasted almond glow. That orange coloration is set off beautifully by a slate blue bill and deepset eyes. Juveniles begin dark brown and lighten up year after year.
Gannets are quite populous along the Atlantic coastline stretching from the southern United States up through Greenland and Iceland and through Europe down to north Africa. These colony nesters suffered significant population declines in the past but are doing much better today. No wonder… their combination of good looks, aerial grace, and plunge diving theatrics make them, at least in my opinion, the most impressive birds in any chum slick.
That pelagic trip ruled!
That it did, Corey!
My daughter is an environmental biologist. she has found an injured Northern Gannet. she is trying toget th efish andwildlife game agencies t5o help her. She single handly rescues wildlife stray animal kittens on the island where she lives and works
I have found two sick juvinile northern gannets on the same beach in Maine in the past 3 weeks. The first I took to York, ME to the wildlife rehab. He died after 5 days of tubal feeding and intensive care. The one I found yesterday exibited the same symptoms. A sort of neurolgical daze, I suppose is the best way to describe it. I put yesterdays bird up into the shade of the beach grass in a small stream. This morning when I returned, he had moved back down into the sun and sand. He was just sitting there in a daze. After several attempts (and getting bit..lol) I managed to get some fresh water and bits of haddock into his gullet. This seemed to “wake” him up and he “remembered” what he was supposed be doing..he spent 15 min trying to get to the surf and after making his way into the water, he began swimming, preening, looking around, raising his head to avoid being splashed in the face….
Hope he makes it.
They are getting into some kind of toxin.