Australasian gannet. Credit: angrysunbird

The beautiful Australasian gannet has a stunning white body and delicate yellow head.

A large bird with an impressive wingspan of up to 95 centimetres, it can be distinguished by its smudgy yellow head and pale blue-grey bill. It has a white body and sharply contrasting black wingtips on the flight feathers and central tail feathers.

Where

Gannets are most often seen in Booderee in winter when their brilliant white plumage stands out against the deep blue sea. Look for them anywhere along the Booderee coast.

Feeding

Gliding on long pointed wings, the gannets herd fish into dense shoals before plummeting at high speeds into the sea to catch their prey. They are cushioned against the impact with the water by air filled sacks under the skin.

Breeding

Gannets nest on the ground in large colonies on offshore islands in Bass Strait and New Zealand. Breeding pairs produce one egg.

Sounds

A high, rapid screech.