Northern Gannets (Sula bassana) - a photo on Flickriver

            The northern gannet (Sula bassana) is a seabird and the largest member of the gannet family, Sulidae. It has the same colours as the Australasian gannet and is similar in appearance. Nesting in colonies as large as 60,000 pairs on both sides of the north Atlantic this bird undertakes seasonal migrations and is a spectacular high-speed diver.

Old names for the northern gannet include solan and solan goose.

Adults are 81–110 cm (32–43 in) long, weigh 2.2–3.6 kg (4.9–7.9 lb) and have a 165–180 cm (65–71 in) wingspan. Before fledging, the immature birds (at about 10 weeks of age) can weigh more than 4 kg (8.8 lb). Each wing measures between 47 and 53 cm (19 and 21 in) when outstretched and the beak measures between 9 and 11 cm (3.5 and 4.3 in) (measured from the head). The two sexes are a similar size.

The plumage of the adults is white with dark wing tips, with colours that range from brown to black. The colour of the head, cheeks and side of the neck depends on the season and the individual; during breeding, the head and neck are brushed in a delicate yellow, although this colouring may not be evident in some individuals. The feathers are waterproof, which allows the birds to spend long periods in water. A water-impermeable secretion produced by a sebaceous gland covers the feathers and the birds spread it across their body using their beak or their head. The eye is light blue, and it is surrounded by bare, black skin, which gives the birds their characteristic facial expression.

Fledglings are brown with white wing tips. They have white spots on their head and on their back and a v-shaped white area underneath.  The plumage of one-year-olds can be almost completely brown. In the second year the birds’ appearance changes depending on the different phases of moulting: they can have adult plumage at the front and continue to be brown at the rear. They gradually acquire more white in subsequent seasons until they reach maturity after five years.

Newborn chicks are featherless and are dark blue or black in colour. In the second week of life they are covered in white down. From the fifth week they are covered in dark brown feathers flecked with white.

Their beak is long, strong and conical with a slight downward curve at the end. The front part has a sharp edge. In adults, the beak is blue-grey with dark grey or black edges. It is brownish in immature birds.

The northern gannet’s eyes are large and point forwards, and they have a light blue to light grey iris surrounded by a thin black ring. The four toes of their feet are joined by a membrane that can vary from dark grey to dark brown. There are yellow lines running along the toes that continue along their legs; these lines probably have a role in mating. The rear toe is strong and faces inwards allowing the birds to firmly grip onto vertical cliff faces

This image was taken at Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington in Yorkshire, England.

Taken in: UK / England / Bempton / Bempton (show map)

Taken on: July 31, 2020

Tags:

_Y3A9433-1

Gannets

Flickr Birds

Bempton

Bempton RSPB

Yorkshire « less

Sets appears in: • Bempton Cliffs, Bridlington, Yorkshire • Images taken in the UK more » • Birds • Wildlife « less

Groups appears in: • Birds • canon photography more » • Bird Lovers • Canon L and DO Lenses • Canon EOS • Flickr Nature • Birds , Birds Birds • Nature Photography • wildlife photographers • Canon EOS 5D Series • Animal Closeups • Bird Fanatics! (No Limits) • 1-2-3 Nature • Unlimited Birds • Bird Images • BIRDPIX (3/day) • canon digital photography. • Canon EOS 5D • *I Love Birds* • Nature Heals the Soul • "Bird Brained" • BiRDS are Beautiful • Anything Nature • ***The Wildlife Photography • Birds From Around The World • Canon DSLR 中文版 • we love wildlife • Bird and Nature Photography • TMI: your ART & NATURE **NO PEOPLE OR MAN-MADE OBJECTS** P1♥C1 • The Beauty of Nature • Birds (no rules) • Millions of Birds • birds from all over the world • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • All birds all the time • Birding In The Wild • Birds - Sea, Shore, Water and Wader • Birds & Animals Group • Bempton • The Birds Of Flickr • Birdshare • Canon EOS 5Ds/R, Mark 1, 2, 3, 4 • National Geographic Wild Life • Canon SLR • Birds and Wildlife Only!!! • Photographing Birds • Nature's Wonder • Nature of the World Unlimited (9000+ Invite your friends!) • Canon Digital Photographers (Nature & Wildlife) • Gannets • Birds,Mammals and Nature Group • 4 Birds only • !!!* FLORA AND FAUNA ONLY *P1/C1* (NO PEOPLE) • :: | Bird Photography |:: • Wild Bird Photography • The Canon User Group (Post 1, Award 2) • MAD about BIRDS! • Amateur Wildlife and Nature • Flickr Birds • Any kind of wildlife/nature • Birds & More Birds • All Wildlife Photography • Wildlife Photographs • Birds and Birds of prey in action • Birding With A Canon • Canon EOS Cameras. • Birds and Animals Photography • Canon Users DSLR • Nature and all that is beautiful • "Wildlife Photography" • Wildlife in North East England • Nature and Animals (Wild Only) • Natural variety / fauna - flora - sceneries • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens • We Love Wildlife And Nature Photography • Aardvark To Zyzzyva • Beloved Birds • Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR • Porfolio Nature • Worldwide Birds (opted out 30/60). • Canon L Lens 4K HQ • Canon EOS 5D MKIV Wildlife Photography. • Yes a Canon Can • wildlife and the wild • Bird_Cat_Dog_Photos « less

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, f/8.0, 1/2000 sec, 560mm, ISO 500 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens:	EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM +1.4x III
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/2000)
Focal Length:	560mm
ISO:	500
Exposure Bias:	-2/3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Shutter speed priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Manual
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 8.1 (Windows)
Show full info

Stats: 16,569 views / 12 comments

go back