Common Name: Australasian Gannet

Distribution: Australasian Gannets are found throughout southern and south-eastern Australia, to New Zealand.

Ecological Notes: Australasian Gannets soar 10 m or more above the surface of the water. Upon locating a dense shoal of fish, they fold their wings back and dive into the water to catch their prey. Small backward-pointing serrations along the edges of the bill allow gannets to firmly grasp fish that are normally swallowed before a bird reaches the surface. A bird only stays under the water for about ten seconds.

Additional Notes: In Australia, the Australasian Gannet breeds in dense colonies on islands off Victoria and Tasmania. The young do not reach breeding maturity until about six or seven years old.

References: eBird Australia at https://ebird.org/species/ausgan1/L2537441 Accessed 13 August 2023.
Birdlife Australia at https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/australasian-gannet/ Accessed 13 August 2023.