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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Northern Gannet

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Name

Northern Gannet

Scientific Name

(Morus bassanus)

Why they are special:
  • A large, striking seabird occasionally seen off Florida’s coast during migration.

  • Known for their dramatic plunge-diving from great heights, hunting fish in open water.

Size and color:
  • Large seabird, 30–36 inches long with a wingspan of 66–80 inches.

  • White body, black-tipped wings, yellowish head, long pointed bill, and blue-gray legs.

  • Juveniles are brownish with mottled white patterns.

Seasonality in Florida:
  • Winter visitor and rare migrant off Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Habitat:
  • Pelagic waters, offshore islands, and coastal waters.

  • Often observed flying in long lines or diving spectacularly into the ocean.
Diet:
  • Feeds exclusively on fish, often plunging from heights of 30–100 feet.
Behavior:
  • Highly gregarious; forms large feeding flocks.

  • Can be observed from boats or distant shorelines as they dive with precision.
Conservation notes:
  • Populations are stable in North America, though sensitive to oil spills and human disturbance on breeding islands.
Best time to see:
  • Winter months, usually offshore, sometimes following baitfish schools close to shore.

Fun Fact:
  • Northern Gannets hit the water at speeds over 60 mph during dives, a remarkable adaptation for catching fish in open ocean.

 

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