Growing Gannets

At full wing stretch these gannets of different ages look dramatically different.

This youngster is still very downy, stretching and flapping helps fledglings to start developing the muscles they will need for flight.

Directly beneath this bird’s bill there is a short, dark stripe, called a gular stripe. It’s a dark, featherless line that is one of the diagnostic features that distinguish an Australasian Gannet from the rare vagrant Cape Gannet which has a considerably longer gular stripe (among other subtle differences). A couple of years ago I was stoked to photograph a Cape Gannet – I shared information and images at the time, which can be seen here: Cape Gannet

Australasian Gannets take about 100 days from hatching to flying. The youngster above is a few weeks older than the downy chick in the first shot. It looks markedly different from both the chick and the adult bird.

Australasian Gannets attain their adult plumage aged between 2-5 years. They are striking looking birds with yellow heads and blue eye rings. The sun was just rising when I took this image, which has given the shot a golden glow.

October is generally the start of the breeding season for Australasian Gannets, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to visit them again before all the youngsters have flown. There is something especially magical about sitting on the exposed rocks, whatever the weather, as these magnificent birds get on with their lives.

Happy birding, stay safe, Kim

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