Northern Gannet

Morus bassanus · Species of bird
Order
Suliformes
Codes
norgan, NOGA

About the Northern Gannet

The Northern gannet is a seabird, the largest species of the gannet family, Sulidae. It is native to the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean, breeding in Western Europe and Northeastern North America. It is the largest seabird in the northern Atlantic. The sexes are similar in appearance. The adult northern gannet has a mainly white streamlined body with a long neck, and long and slender wings. It is 87–100 cm long with a 170–180 cm (67–71 in) wingspan. The head and nape have a buff tinge that is more prominent in breeding season, and the wings are edged with dark brown-black feathers. The long, pointed bill is blue-grey, contrasting with black, bare skin around the mouth and eyes. Juveniles are mostly grey-brown, becoming increasingly white in the five years it takes them to reach maturity.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderSuliformes
FamilyBoobies and Gannets (Sulidae)
SpeciesMorus bassanus
Species Codesnorgan, NOGA

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Northern Gannet belong to?

The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) belongs to the Boobies and Gannets family (Sulidae), in the order Suliformes.

How can I identify the Northern Gannet?

The Northern gannet is a seabird, the largest species of the gannet family, Sulidae. It is native to the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean, breeding in Western Europe and Northeastern North America. It is the largest seabird in the northern Atlantic. The sexes are similar in appearance. The adult n...

Where can I report a Northern Gannet sighting?

You can log sightings of Northern Gannet on eBird (ebird.org) using species code norgan, or on iNaturalist.