Northern Gannet - Ecology

Ecology

Gannet pairs may remain together over several seasons. They perform elaborate greeting rituals at the nest, stretching their bills and necks skywards and gently tapping bills together.

They are migratory and most winter at sea, heading further south in the Atlantic.

These birds are spectacular divers, plunging into the ocean at high speed, with their bodies completely straightened out like an arrow before striking the water. If a fish is taken after diving, gannets swallow the fish underwater before surfacing. Although they are strong and agile fliers, they are clumsy in takeoffs and landings. They mainly eat small fish (2.5–30.5 cm in length) which gather in groups near the surface. Virtually any small fish (roughly 80–90% of the diet) or other small pelagic species (largely squid) will be taken opportunistically. Various cod, smelt, and herring species are most frequently taken.

Although Northern Gannet populations are now stable, their numbers were once greatly reduced due to loss of habitat, removal of eggs and killing of adults.

Predators of eggs and nestlings include Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls, Common Ravens, ermine, and red fox. The only known habitual natural predator of adults is the Bald and White-tailed Eagles, though large sharks and seals may rarely snatch a gannet out at sea.

Old names for the Northern Gannet include Solan, Solan Goose, and Solant Bird.