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Australasian Gannet
(Morus serrator)
: "Takupu", "Australian Gannet", "DiverAboriginal name(s): "pakuRum" [tjapwurrung]
Size: 85-90 cm; wing span 1.7-1.9 m
Weight: 2.0-2.8 kg
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Similar species |
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Australasian Gannets are big seabirds with a predominantly white
plumage. The upper
side of the back of the wing is black from the
alula inwards to
the tertiaries,
on the underwing the entire trailing edge has a broad black edge.
The cap is yellow, the whiteish eyes are surrounded by a small
black eye patch. The outer tail feathers are also black, while
the legs, feet and bill are light-grey.
Juveniles
have a mottled plumage
in various hues of grey, with a white belly.
In immature
birds the mottled grey
plumage gradually turns black-and-white.
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Twitcher's tip |
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Seen from a distance, cruising Australasian Gannets, with their wings
stretched out, look like black and white rectangular crosses.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Australasian
Gannet at Wikipedia .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Australasian Gannet is available
HERE
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The range of the Australasian Gannet extends from the Australian
South and East coast to New Zealand.
Australasian Gannets populate coastal waters around the southern
half of the Australian continent, from about Exmouth, WA, around
the South coast including the Great Bight, all around Tasmania and
up the East coast as far as about Yeppoon, QLD. They are most
common along the Bass Strait and the Tasmanian East coast and
are not found inland.
Australasian Gannets are found only in marine habitats, i.e. on
the open oceans,
never in fresh water. They are most easily spotted when hunting in
shallow
waters just off the coastline. They nest on
offshore islands.
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Where to look? How to find
this species? |
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Australian Gannets can usually be found most easily by checking the
sky just beyond the edge of
coastal waters.
They will be "patrolling" for fish in water close to shore, facing
into the wind. Their diving technique is unique. If you see a bird
diving into the sea around the Australian coastline from a height
of about 50 m at break-neck speed, it is bound to be an Australian
Gannet.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
We first sighted Australian Gannets hunting off the NSW Central Coast,
between
Myall Lakes NP
and Bouddi NP.
In particular, they were observed off Wybung Head at
Munmorah SCA,
near Budgewoi, NSW.
More sightings followed since then in various locations along the NSW
coast.
J. Greaves reports spotting an Australasian Gannet above Flinders Bay,
Augusta, WA, in May 2015.
M. Eaton reports finding an Australasian Gannet on the Gold Coast, QLD,
in May 2018.
R. Plumtree reports spotting an Australasian
Gannet off the Queenscliff ferry, near Sorrento, VIC, in September
2019.
D. Dyer encountered an Australasian Gannet 10 km off Cervantes, WA,
in March 2021.
M. Eaton reports finding an Australasian Gannet
on a pelagic off Eaglehawk Neck, near Hobart, TAS, in September 2021.
C. Pears found Australasian Gannets a few km off Adventure Bay,
Bruny Island, TAS, in January 2023.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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Lateral view of an adult Australasian Gannet
(photo courtesy of D. Dyer)
[10 km off Cervantes, WA, March 2021]
Near-frontal view of an Australasian Gannet in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Flinders Bay, Augusta, WA, May 2015]
Near-lateral view of an adult Australasian Gannet in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Flinders Bay, Augusta, WA, May 2015]
View from above onto an adult Australasian Gannet in flight;
note the creamy colour of the head, providing a clear view of
the upperwing pattern
[Munmorah SCA,
NSW, June 2011]
The same Australasian Gannet as shown above, seen in a different
phase of its wingbeat
[Munmorah SCA,
NSW, June 2011]
Near-dorsal view of an Australasian Gannet in low flight
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Queenscliff ferry, near Sorrento, VIC, September 2019]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
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Lateral view of a juvenile Australasian Gannet; note the streaked
head and neck and spotted upperwings
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gold Coast, QLD, May 2018]
Dorsal view of a juvenile Australasian Gannet
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gold Coast, QLD, May 2018]
View of the upperwing
plumage of a juvenile Australasian Gannet
[Munmorah SCA,
NSW, June 2009]
Crossing paths: juvenile Australasian Gannet (top) and
Crested Tern
in non-breeding
plumage (bottom)
[Munmorah SCA,
NSW, June 2009]
Australasian Gannets have an audacious hunting style, patrolling
at about 10-20 m altitude before diving headlong at high speed
into the water, often to great depth, to catch fish.
Australasian Gannet nose-diving into the sea; one can see clearly that
the outer tail feathers are white, while the inner ones are black
[Munmorah SCA,
NSW, June 2009]
Trail of bubbles where an Australasian Gannet is diving; this bird
species can dive up to several metres deep
[Munmorah SCA,
NSW, June 2009]
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Food, Diet |
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Australasian Gannets feed on fish, which they catch by nose-diving
from a height of tens of metres, grabbing fish with their bills up
to several metres under the water's surface (see above). They are
known to hunt in packs, especially when attacking shoals of fish.
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors.
The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.