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Northern gannet

fou-de-bassan-1-jp-durand-pncal.jpg
© J.P. Durand - Parc national des Calanques
fou-de-bassan-2-jp-durand-pncal.jpg
© J.P. Durand - Parc national des Calanques
fou-de-bassan-jp-durand-pncal.png
© J.P. Durand - Parc national des Calanques

Description

The northern gannet is the largest seabird in Europe. It wingspan measures up to 1.9 metres! Its plumage is white, yellowish on its head and black at the tip of its wings. It fishing technique is surprising: after having flown very high it dives as much as 100km/hour! It takes advantage of the impact produced to swallow the stunned fish up to 20 meters underwater.

Scientific name

Morus bassanus

Presence

All year long

Did you know ?

It is occasionally seen in the sea in the National Park but does not breed here. It lives and nests in the rocky islands of Brittany.

Conservation stake

Medium