June 5, 2025 • 30 mins
Dive deep into the fascinating world of the Northern Gannet, an iconic seabird of the North Atlantic known for its spectacular plunge-diving technique to catch fish. Discover how these highly social birds thrive in dense colonies on rocky cliffs and islands, showcasing complex communication and adaptations for their marine lifestyle. We'll also explore their crucial role as an indicator species for marine ecosystem health and the conservation challenges they face.
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(00:04):
You're listening to a podcast from MOO and nature
documentaries. Welcome to a deep dive into the
truly spectacular Northern Gannet.
When you picture this sea bird, you probably imagine it's
striking white plumage, that incredibly powerful flight, and
will, of course, it's absolutelyjaw-dropping hunting prowess.
It's an iconic image, definitely.
(00:25):
Today, we're on a mission to uncover the deep secrets of its
survival in the vast, often unforgiving North Atlantic.
We'll explore the fascinating adaptations and intricate
behaviors that allow it not justto exist, but to truly thrive.
Yeah, from its bustling breedingcolonies, particularly some
really significant ones here in Canada.
(00:46):
Right. Well, definitely touch on those.
Yeah, and all the way to its extensive migrations across
thousands of kilometers of open ocean.
And understanding a species as uniquely adapted as the northern
gannet isn't just about admiringa beautiful bird, though they
certainly are beautiful. Oh, absolutely.
Their story offers us a crucial window, almost like a living
barometer, into the health of our oceans and the delicate
(01:07):
balance of marine the systems. That's a great way to put it.
So we'll dive into not just whatthey do, but why they're very
existence. And, you know, their current
challenges matter profoundly to the bigger picture of our
planet's future. It's really a remarkable
testament to evolution. OK, let's unpack this incredible
design. Then.
(01:27):
When you think of a Northern gannet, that iconic plunge dive
immediately comes to mind. It's just breathtaking.
It really is. What physical characteristics
make these birds such astonishing aerialists and
underwater hunters? It must be more than just a
streamlined tape, isn't it? Oh, absolutely.
It's truly a marvel of natural engineering, something honed
(01:48):
over millennia. You're right, the streamlined
body is fundamental. It minimizes resistance, which
allows them to reach astonishingspeeds during those plunge
dives. How high are we talking?
They can initiate them from up to 40 meters above the surface.
It is, and to put that in perspective, they can hit the
water at speeds exceeding 60 kilometers per hour.
(02:09):
Wow, so how do they even survivethat impact?
Well, that's where the skeletal system comes in.
It's incredibly robust. Their bones are actually denser
than many other birds, specifically designed to absorb
the tremendous shock of hitting the water.
Like a well, like a living torpedo.
Denser bones, OK. But that's not all.
What's truly fascinating, I think, is their specialized
(02:30):
respiratory system. They have this network of air
sacs almost like a natural airbag system, located just
beneath their skin, particularlyin the neck and shoulders.
There's sacks under the. Skin.
Yeah, exactly. These sacks act as incredible
cushions, protecting their vitalorgans from the immense pressure
of the impact. And very cleverly, their
nostrils aren't external like ours.
(02:53):
Where are they? They're located inside their
mouth. It's an ingenious adaptation to
prevent water from being forced into their Airways during those
high speed. Dives and internal nostril,
yeah, that's quite the design. Does that air SAC system also
help them with buoyancy when they're underwater?
Maybe helping them resurface or maneuver after a dive?
That's a great question, and yes, it certainly does.
(03:14):
While their primary role is definitely impact absorption,
those air sacs also contribute significantly to buoyancy, which
is crucial, as you said, for maneuvering underwater after
they've hit the surface and thenefficiently resurfacing.
They also boast these long pointed wings.
Very distinctive. And these aren't just for the
dive. They're essential for incredibly
(03:35):
efficient gliding over vast oceanic distances, absolutely
vital for foraging across their wide range.
Makes sense for an ocean bird. And then there are their webbed
feet, Useful for underwater maneuvering when pursuing prey,
sure, but they also play this surprisingly tender role during
incubation. House so.
They actually use their highly vascularized webbed feet almost
(03:58):
like a built in heating pad you could say.
Really. Yes, They wrap them around the
egg to efficiently transfer their body heat directly to it.
This ensures consistent warmth, which is critical for
development, especially in the cold, damp conditions of the
North. Atlantic that's amazing feat as
incubators. It really is, and their eyesight
is phenomenal. Incredibly keen vision, crucial
(04:20):
for spotting relatively small fish from great weights.
And must need good eyes for that40 meter.
Drop precisely, and their eyes are specially adapted to adjust
for light refraction and water, allowing them to accurately
target prey from above even withthe distortion.
Wow. Finally, their plumage is
incredibly dense and waterproof.This isn't just about keeping
(04:40):
dry, it provides superior insulation against those cold
ocean waters and also aids buoyancy.
Plus, it's coated with oil from a preening gland at the base of
their tail, enhancing that waterresistance.
And the colour that's striking White.
Predominantly white coloration with those black wing tips isn't
just beautiful, it's excellent camouflage.
(05:01):
From below, they're white underside blends with the bright
sky, making them hard for fish to spot sneaky.
And from above, their white backblends with the reflective ocean
surface. Masters of disguise, in a way.
So they're not only masters of the dive, but also camouflage
experts. You mentioned that adult
plumage. Here's where it gets really
interesting for me. Do they always look like that,
(05:23):
or do they change through their lives?
Can their appearance tell us something about their age?
Oht they absolutely do change. Quite dramatically.
In fact. When you first see a juvenile
northern gannet, it's quite distinct.
They hatch with fluffy white down, of course, but as they
grow feathers they develop this dark brown plumage that's
heavily speckled with white. Dark brown and speckled.
(05:45):
Very different from the adult. Very different, and this modeled
pattern provides excellent camouflage for them during their
vulnerable early years at sea. They're learning vital survival
skills then, so blending in as key.
How long does that last? Well, this distinct look is
gradually replaced by white feathers over about four to five
years, so you'll often see birdsout there with a mixed sort of
(06:07):
modeled appearance during this transition period.
Their eyes are also dark brown or Gray, unlike the adults.
So a slow transition. Exactly once they reach the
adult stage, typically around five years of age, they display
that striking plumage you first mentioned, predominantly white,
with those contrasting black wing tips.
And the yellow head. Ah yes, you might also notice a
(06:29):
subtle yellow hue on their headsnext.
This becomes much more pronounced, almost a rich gold
during the breeding season. Why is that?
It's thought that this yellowishtint, which comes from a natural
carotenoid pigment they get fromtheir diet, plays a role in mate
attraction and signalling reproductive fitness.
Kind of like saying look how healthy and well fed I am.
(06:49):
Makes sense. And as adults their eyes are
that striking pale blue, almost icy blue with the distinct black
ring around them. Quite different from the
juveniles dark eyes. That's a fascinating
transformation, like a slow reveal over several years.
Yeah, but with all these incredible adaptations for the
Dive foraging, their true resilience must lie in how they
(07:10):
survive the unforgiving cold of the North Atlantic.
How do these birds manage to stay warm or maybe even cool
down when it gets too hot? They have a really sophisticated
suite of adaptations for temperature regulation.
It's truly a testament to surviving in pretty extreme
environments. First off, their dense plumage
acts as exceptional feather insulation.
(07:31):
Like a down. Jacket exactly trapping a thick
layer of air close to their skin, which significantly
reduces heat loss in those cold,windy and often wet conditions.
Beneath that, they have a layer of subcutaneous fat.
Extra insulation. Yes, provides additional
insulation and just as importantly, serves as a vital
energy reserve for those long foraging trips and migration.
(07:53):
Right, fuel storage too. What's particularly clever,
though, is their countercurrent heat exchange system, especially
in their legs and feet. Countercurrent.
How does that work? Well, basically warm arterial
blood flowing out from their body core runs in close
proximity to the cooler venous blood returning from their
extremities. Like their feet, which are often
in cold water. The outgoing warm blood warms up
(08:16):
the returning cooler blood before it gets back to the core.
Oh I see, so it minimizes heat loss from the parts exposed to
the cold? Precisely.
It's incredibly efficient behaviorally.
They also do things you'd expect.
They'll bask in the sun to absorb heat, especially after
long foraging trips at sea, And they preen meticulously.
Why is preening so important forwarmth?
(08:37):
Because it's critical for maintaining the waterproof
quality and the insulating loft of their feathers.
If the feathers get matted or water logged, they lose that
insulating property. And in very cold weather,
they'll engage in communal roosting, huddling together in
those dense colonies. We talked about safety in
numbers, but also warmth and numbers.
Like sense and cooling down. Can it get too hot for?
(08:58):
Them it can, surprisingly, even in the North Atlantic, on a
sunny, still day on a crowded Cliff face, overheating can be a
risk. So they can pant just like a dog
or perform what's called Giller fluttering.
Fluttering. Yeah, it's a rapid vibration of
the moist membranes in the throat patch the gular region.
It increases air flow and evaporative cooling, helping
(09:19):
them shed excess heat without losing too much water.
It's truly incredible how many layers of adaptation they have
for their environment. Specialized lungs, dense bones,
built in heating systems, even cooling mechanisms.
Given such intricate biological detail, do we see similar
distinctions between individuals?
Maybe between males and females?Are they easy to tell apart?
(09:42):
You know, surprisingly, no. This is one of those interesting
little facts about gannets. The Northern gannet does not
exhibit significant sexual dimorphism.
Really, they look the same. Remarkably similar, yes, and
plumage in size. While males might be on average
ever so slightly larger or heavier, it's not something you
can easily discern in the field without actually catching and
(10:04):
measuring them. So when you're watching a
colony, you basically and tell who's who just by.
Looking pretty much, yeah. You'd be hard pressed to tell
males from females based on appearance alone, and this
uniform appearance across their entire North Atlantic range is
why the northern gannet is generally considered a monotypic
species. Monotypic meaning.
Meaning there are no recognized subspecies or distinct regional
(10:26):
forms. They all look pretty much the
same wherever you find them. They're high mobility.
Those long migrations and foraging trips ensures plenty of
gene flow between colonies, maintaining those uniform
characteristics. These birds truly are masters of
their environment, in their physical design and their, well,
geographical spread. O where exactly do they call
(10:49):
home? What kind of habitats do they
refer for breeding and for the rest of the year?
Their geographic distributions spans the entire North Atlantic,
really. You'll find major breeding
colonies along the coasts of Western Europe, places like the
UK, Ireland, Iceland, Base Rock and Scotland is famously home
to, well, an absolutely massive colony.
Iconic place it is, but for us focusing here, the western side
(11:11):
of the Atlantic is hugely significant.
Canada is a critical breeding ground, particularly
Newfoundland and Labrador, and especially within the Gulf of
St. Lawrence Quebec specifically.
Absolutely. What's truly remarkable here is
Bonaventure Island and Quebec, and it hosts one of the largest,
most accessible northern gannet colonies in all of North
America. We're talking over 100,000
(11:33):
birds. That must be an incredible sight
and sound. It truly is unforgettable.
These birds strategically choosesteep cliffs and rocky islands
for breeding. These locations offer critical
protection for most terrestrial predators.
Like foxes? Exactly.
Foxes, rats, things like that. And just as importantly, these
spots provide immediate, easy access to the sea for foraging.
(11:54):
They can just launch right off the Cliff edge.
Makes sense, and outside the breeding season.
Then they become highly pelagic.Pelagic meaning out at sea.
Right spending most of their time far out in open ocean
waters following the abundant fish stocks, they undertake
extensive migration southward for the winter.
Birds from eastern Canada might head down the eastern coast of
the United States, some even reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
(12:17):
European birds might head towards the western
Mediterranean or down the coast of West Africa.
Wow, huge journeys. And what fuels these incredible
trips, those thousands of kilometers of migration, not to
mention those energy intensive dives?
What's on the Northern Gannets menu that makes all this
possible? Their diet is almost exclusively
fish. They're specialized fish eaters,
(12:39):
typically targeting schooling species that are between, say, 2
and 30 centimeters long. What kind of fish, mostly.
Their mainstays include energy rich oily fish like mackerel and
herring, but also sandeels and capelin, depending on the region
and the time of year, whatever is abundant locally.
In the hunting method, is that plunged?
Have we talked? About Yes, that's their
signature move, plunge diving from heights of up to well,
(13:02):
sometimes even 40 meters, though10 to 30 is more typical.
Once they hit the water, they often use their wings to fly
underwater, powerfully pursuing their prey.
Flying into. Water in a sense, yes.
Using their wings for propulsionto chase fish down, sometimes
several meters below the surfacebefore catching them with their
sharp pointed beaks. Do they eat anything else?
(13:23):
Occasionally they might consume squid if the opportunity arises,
but fish are definitely their primary fuel source.
They are true specialists. And their role in the ecosystem.
As an apex predator, at least within their specific niche,
northern gannets play a crucial ecological role.
By praying on these small to medium sized fish, they help
(13:43):
regulate those populations, which in turn influences the
entire food web dynamics below them.
Right, keeping things in balance.
Exactly. And here's a truly interesting
aspect. Their guano, the ways they
produce in these huge colonies isn't just waste, it's a vital,
often overlooked nutrient input.It runs off the cliffs into the
(14:05):
coastal waters, essentially fertilizing them.
This supports the growth of phytoplankton, which forms the
base of the food web, ultimatelysupporting the very fish
populations the gannets depend on.
Wow so they're waste helps grow their food?
It's a striking example of a circular ecosystem.
Their existence directly fuels their food source.
It's like they're farming their own dinner in a way.
(14:25):
That's a great point, showing just how intrinsically linked
the species can be to its environment.
But what about the other side ofthe coin?
What preys on these formidable birds, especially given their
vulnerable eggs and young concentrated in those colonies?
That's a key vulnerability, yes,when it comes to eggs and
chicks, they are indeed susceptible to certain
(14:45):
predators. Large goals like the great black
backed gull, which are powerful birds themselves, and corvids,
crows, Ravens are known predators, especially of
unattended eggs or small chicks.So vigilance is key for the
parents. Absolutely, and on islands that
aren't completely predator proofyou might occasionally see
mammalian predators, foxes or sometimes rats if they can gain
(15:08):
access. However, adult northern gannets
have very few natural predators.They're large, powerful birds,
and they are incredibly aggressive, especially when
defending their nest site. That sharp beak is a formidable
weapon. It's quite rare for them to be
preyed upon by larger birds of prey like eagles, or by marine
mammals like seals or sharks outat sea, although it probably
(15:30):
happens occasionally. So how do they defend
themselves, especially the colony as a whole?
And their defence mechanisms arequite effective and they largely
rely on a safety in numbers strategy.
Their primary defence is simply nesting in those massive dense
colonies. The sheer volume is
intimidating. Exactly the sheer number of
birds, often 10s of thousands, packed together creates A
(15:51):
formidable deterrent for many would be predators.
Plus, individual adults are fiercely aggressive in defending
their tiny nesting territory. They use those sharp beats to
Peck and deliver powerful bites to intruders, often drawing
blood. Sounds intense.
It can be. They also employ collective
vigilance and alarm calls. If one bird spots danger and
(16:11):
gives an alarm call, it can mobilize defensive actions like
mass mobbing flights across the entire colony very quickly.
A coordinated defence. Yes, yeah.
And finally, as we mentioned, their choice of remote nesting
locations, those steep cliffs orisolated islands, significantly
reduces access for most terrestrial predators in the
first place. It sounds like an incredibly
(16:32):
efficient, well oiled social defence system.
This is a species that really commits, doesn't it?
You mentioned they often return to the same mate and same
nesting site year after year. Let's talk about their breeding
season and that incredible, often dramatic journey from a
single egg to a fully fledged gannet taking its first flight
into the ocean world. Yes, they are known for their
(16:54):
strong pair bonds and site fidelity.
The breeding season typically kicks off in early spring,
usually around March to April. Does very much.
It can vary slightly by region. For instance, gannets might
arrive back at colonies in Scotland in late February or
early March, while in colder areas like Iceland it might be
slightly later, maybe late Marchor early April.
(17:14):
The timing is very closely linked to food availability.
Ensuring food for the chicks later.
On precisely they need to time it so that the peak food demand
from the growing chick coincideswith the peak abundance of fish
like herring or capelin. Smart and finding a mate.
When it comes to mate attractionand maintaining those bonds,
they have these fascinating, quite ritualized courtship
(17:35):
displays. You'll see pairs engaging in sky
pointing, where they stretch their necks up and point their
bills vertically to the sky, often accompanied by distinctive
guttural calls. High pointing, OK.
There's also bill fencing or billing or partners gently are
sometimes quite vigorously clashed their bills together and
lots of mutual preening where they carefully preen each
(17:57):
other's head and neck. Feathering fitting the bog.
Exactly. All these behaviors help
establish and reinforce their monogamous pair bonds, which as
you said, it can last for many years, often for the life of the
pair. The males typically initiate the
nest building or refurbishing the old nest where they use.
They gather materials like seaweed, grass feathers, bits of
(18:17):
debris, even discarded fishing gear sometimes.
Unfortunately, they then cement it all together with their own
guano, creating a solid cup shaped mound and they show
remarkable fidelity returning tothat same tiny ledge year after
year. So they've chosen their mate.
They've built or rebuilt their home on that crowded Cliff face.
What happens next as they raise their young?
(18:39):
What are the critical developmental stages for these
future ocean masters? The female lays just a single
egg per season. For such a long lived seabird,
this represents a significant reproductive investment each
year. Just one.
Just one and both parents share the responsibility of
incubation, which takes quite a while, about 42 to 46 days.
(19:00):
They take turns using those vascularized webbed feet we
talked about to provide constantwarmth.
Right, the foot warming technique.
Exactly. Once the chick hatches its
altricial meaning meaning it's quite developed, blind,
featherless initially and completely helpless.
It requires significant and constant parental care.
It's a very vulnerable little creature at. 1st so both parents
(19:21):
are kept busy. Extremely busy, both take turns
brooding the chick to keep it warm and protected and foraging
for food. They fly out, sometimes covering
several 100 kilometers on a single trip to find fish like
mackerel, herring or capelin. And bring it back how?
They bring it back in their stomach and then feed the chick
by regurgitating partially digested fish directly into its
(19:42):
throat. Initially, one parent usually
stays with the chick at all times to guard it against
predators like gulls and the often harsh elements.
How long does this chick rearingphase last?
It takes about 11 to 13 weeks from hatching until the chick is
ready to fledge. By then it's almost as large as
an adult, fully feathered in that dark juvenile plumage, but
(20:03):
still quite dependent. And Fletching is that graceful.
Fledging is a dramatic, often quite perilous event.
It's not a gentle glide. The young Gannett, having never
flown before, essentially launches itself off the Cliff
edge. The leap of faith.
Absolutely Buffet. It often involves an
uncontrolled plummet down towards the sea.
They can't really fly properly yet, but their weight and
(20:24):
momentum carry them down. They hit the water and then
they're on their. Own just like that.
Parents don't help. No, the parents don't follow
them down or feed them after they leave the nest site.
The fledgling spends the next few weeks on the water, often
drifting with currents, learningto swim properly, dive and most
importantly, hunt for itself. It's a tough start.
And that's the start of the juvenile stage.
(20:47):
That marks the beginning of their juvenile stage, which
lasts for several years spent entirely at sea.
During this time, their plumage gradually transforms from that
dark brown modeled look to the adult white.
They mature. They hone their flying and
hunting skills. They're much less skilled than
adults initially, and they tend to be more solitary.
(21:08):
They also undertake those extensive migrations.
And eventually they return. Eventually, yes, they reach
sexual maturity around 5 or 6 years of age.
Then, driven by instinct, they returned to their Natal colony,
or perhaps a nearby 1, find a mate, claim a nest site and
begin breeding themselves, completing this incredible life
cycle and starting their own long-term committed
(21:28):
partnerships. It's such a long journey to
maturity. These long life cycles and
distant migrations really speak to a species that has adapted
beautifully, overcoming incredible odds over
evolutionary time. But what challenges do they face
today in their vast North Atlantic home, especially given
increasing human activity in theoceans?
(21:49):
That's the critical question now, isn't it?
Historically, as we touched upon, their range was
concentrated in the North Atlantic, key spots in the
British Isles, Iceland, eastern Canada.
But in the early 20th century, things like intensive hunting
for meat and feathers and widespread big collection
significantly limited their numbers and distribution.
Some colonies were wiped out entirely.
But they've recovered. Remarkably well, yes.
(22:11):
Thanks to protective measures and dedicated conservation
efforts starting mid century, they've experienced a fantastic
recovery and expansion of their range.
Today you'll find significant thriving colonies across the
North Atlantic. And as we highlighted here in
North America, Newfoundland and Quebec are real strongholds,
with iconic sites like Bonaventure Island and Cape St.
Marys and Newfoundland hosting massive, healthy populations.
(22:35):
So the population trend is positive overall.
Generally, yes, the overall population has been increasing.
Their wintering range is also expensive, reaching far South to
the Gulf of Mexico for North American birds and West Africa
for European ones. But, and is a big but, despite
this recovery story, they face several significant and frankly
worrying modern threats. OK, like what?
(22:57):
Overfishing is a major word. The industrial scale reduction
in stocks of their primary prey species, think mackerel herring
sandals, directly leads to food scarcity.
This impacts their breeding success, chick survival rates,
and the overall condition of a doll.
Birds makes sense. Less food, harder life.
Exactly, buy catch is another serious issue.
(23:17):
Gannets diving for fish near Nets or lines can become
accidentally entangled or hookedin fishing gear, leading to
injury or drowning. And pollution.
Pollution is a huge concern. Oil spills are devastating as
oil coats their feathers, destroying the waterproofing and
insulation, leading to hypothermia.
They also ingest toxins when trying to preen the oil off.
Then there's plastic debris. Gannets can mistake floating
(23:40):
plastic for food and ingest it, which can block their digestive
system. Or they can become tangled in
plastic waste, like discarded Nets or packing bands.
And chemical pollution. Yes, chemical contaminants like
POP's persistent organic pollutants from pesticides or
industrial processes are a majorworry.
These toxins accumulate in the marine food web, concentrating
(24:01):
in predators like gannets. They can severely impact the
reproductive success by thinningegg shells or disrupting
hormones, and also weaken their immune systems, making them more
vulnerable to disease. That sounds insidious.
It is. Climate change is another big
one. Rising sea temperatures are
already altering the distribution patterns of fish
stocks, forcing gannets to travel further to find food or
(24:23):
switch to less nutritious prey. More effort for less reward.
Right. And increased storm frequency
and intensity, also linked to climate change, can physically
damage nesting colonies on exposed cliffs and significantly
increased chick mortality, especially for those newly
fledged young out at sea. And direct disturbance.
Habitat disturbance from human activities is also a factor.
(24:44):
Things like coastal development encroaching on colonies,
increased shipping traffic near breeding sites, and even
unregulated tourism can disturb nesting birds, potentially
leading to stress, reduced breeding success, or even nest
abandonment in extreme cases. What about wind farms?
Offshore wind is expanding. That's an emerging concern, yes.
(25:05):
Large offshore wind farms could potentially displace gannets
from important foraging areas, and there's the risk of
collision with the turbine plates for these birds that fly
long distances, often at turbineheight.
The actual impact is still beingstudied, but it's definitely on
the radar. So, given this complex mix of
recovery and ongoing, potentially increasing threats,
what does this all mean for their future?
(25:27):
Are they considered endangered? And crucially, what's actively
being done to protect them, especially in those vital
Canadian colonies, like in Quebec?
Well, the good news, perhaps surprisingly given that list of
threats, is that the northern Gannett is currently classified
as Least Concern on the IUCN RedList of Threatened Species.
Least Concern? That sounds positive.
It does. It indicates that at a global
(25:49):
level, the species is not currently considered as
significant risk of extinction. And as we discussed, their
overall populations have been generally stable or even
increasing over recent decades, which is a real conservation
success story compared to where they were a century ago.
So the efforts worked. Largely, yes.
This positive status is a directresult of sustained and robust
(26:12):
conservation efforts over many years.
A key element is protected areas.
Many of their most important breeding colonies like Bass Rock
and Scotland, and critically forour focus, Bonaventure Island in
Quebec, are designated as protected.
Areas, national parks, or. Reserves Sites of Special
Scientific Interests, SSI's National Parks Wildlife
(26:33):
Reserves. These designations provide legal
protection for the birds and their nesting habitats,
regulating human activities within those zones.
So next time you see that incredible footage, maybe online
or in a documentary, of a Gannett folding its wings and
plummeting into the sea, remember the incredible, deep
story behind each one. It's a testament to evolutionary
(26:53):
adaptation, to sheer survival against the odds, and to that
ongoing, complex dance between nature and humanity's impact.
You're listening to a podcast from MOO and nature
documentaries. Welcome to a deep dive into the
truly spectacular Northern Gannet.
When you picture this sea bird, you probably imagine it's
striking white plumage, that incredibly powerful flight, and
will, of course, it's absolutelyjaw-dropping hunting prowess.
It's an iconic image, definitely.
(00:25):
Today, we're on a mission to uncover the deep secrets of its
survival in the vast, often unforgiving North Atlantic.
We'll explore the fascinating adaptations and intricate
behaviors that allow it not justto exist, but to truly thrive.
Yeah, from its bustling breedingcolonies, particularly some
really significant ones here in Canada.
(00:46):
Right. Well, definitely touch on those.
Yeah, and all the way to its extensive migrations across
thousands of kilometers of open ocean.
And understanding a species as uniquely adapted as the northern
gannet isn't just about admiringa beautiful bird, though they
certainly are beautiful. Oh, absolutely.
Their story offers us a crucial window, almost like a living
barometer, into the health of our oceans and the delicate
(01:07):
balance of marine the systems. That's a great way to put it.
So we'll dive into not just whatthey do, but why they're very
existence. And, you know, their current
challenges matter profoundly to the bigger picture of our
planet's future. It's really a remarkable
testament to evolution. OK, let's unpack this incredible
design. Then.
(01:27):
When you think of a Northern gannet, that iconic plunge dive
immediately comes to mind. It's just breathtaking.
It really is. What physical characteristics
make these birds such astonishing aerialists and
underwater hunters? It must be more than just a
streamlined tape, isn't it? Oh, absolutely.
It's truly a marvel of natural engineering, something honed
(01:48):
over millennia. You're right, the streamlined
body is fundamental. It minimizes resistance, which
allows them to reach astonishingspeeds during those plunge
dives. How high are we talking?
They can initiate them from up to 40 meters above the surface.
It is, and to put that in perspective, they can hit the
water at speeds exceeding 60 kilometers per hour.
(02:09):
Wow, so how do they even survivethat impact?
Well, that's where the skeletal system comes in.
It's incredibly robust. Their bones are actually denser
than many other birds, specifically designed to absorb
the tremendous shock of hitting the water.
Like a well, like a living torpedo.
Denser bones, OK. But that's not all.
What's truly fascinating, I think, is their specialized
(02:30):
respiratory system. They have this network of air
sacs almost like a natural airbag system, located just
beneath their skin, particularlyin the neck and shoulders.
There's sacks under the. Skin.
Yeah, exactly. These sacks act as incredible
cushions, protecting their vitalorgans from the immense pressure
of the impact. And very cleverly, their
nostrils aren't external like ours.
(02:53):
Where are they? They're located inside their
mouth. It's an ingenious adaptation to
prevent water from being forced into their Airways during those
high speed. Dives and internal nostril,
yeah, that's quite the design. Does that air SAC system also
help them with buoyancy when they're underwater?
Maybe helping them resurface or maneuver after a dive?
That's a great question, and yes, it certainly does.
(03:14):
While their primary role is definitely impact absorption,
those air sacs also contribute significantly to buoyancy, which
is crucial, as you said, for maneuvering underwater after
they've hit the surface and thenefficiently resurfacing.
They also boast these long pointed wings.
Very distinctive. And these aren't just for the
dive. They're essential for incredibly
(03:35):
efficient gliding over vast oceanic distances, absolutely
vital for foraging across their wide range.
Makes sense for an ocean bird. And then there are their webbed
feet, Useful for underwater maneuvering when pursuing prey,
sure, but they also play this surprisingly tender role during
incubation. House so.
They actually use their highly vascularized webbed feet almost
(03:58):
like a built in heating pad you could say.
Really. Yes, They wrap them around the
egg to efficiently transfer their body heat directly to it.
This ensures consistent warmth, which is critical for
development, especially in the cold, damp conditions of the
North. Atlantic that's amazing feat as
incubators. It really is, and their eyesight
is phenomenal. Incredibly keen vision, crucial
(04:20):
for spotting relatively small fish from great weights.
And must need good eyes for that40 meter.
Drop precisely, and their eyes are specially adapted to adjust
for light refraction and water, allowing them to accurately
target prey from above even withthe distortion.
Wow. Finally, their plumage is
incredibly dense and waterproof.This isn't just about keeping
(04:40):
dry, it provides superior insulation against those cold
ocean waters and also aids buoyancy.
Plus, it's coated with oil from a preening gland at the base of
their tail, enhancing that waterresistance.
And the colour that's striking White.
Predominantly white coloration with those black wing tips isn't
just beautiful, it's excellent camouflage.
(05:01):
From below, they're white underside blends with the bright
sky, making them hard for fish to spot sneaky.
And from above, their white backblends with the reflective ocean
surface. Masters of disguise, in a way.
So they're not only masters of the dive, but also camouflage
experts. You mentioned that adult
plumage. Here's where it gets really
interesting for me. Do they always look like that,
(05:23):
or do they change through their lives?
Can their appearance tell us something about their age?
Oht they absolutely do change. Quite dramatically.
In fact. When you first see a juvenile
northern gannet, it's quite distinct.
They hatch with fluffy white down, of course, but as they
grow feathers they develop this dark brown plumage that's
heavily speckled with white. Dark brown and speckled.
(05:45):
Very different from the adult. Very different, and this modeled
pattern provides excellent camouflage for them during their
vulnerable early years at sea. They're learning vital survival
skills then, so blending in as key.
How long does that last? Well, this distinct look is
gradually replaced by white feathers over about four to five
years, so you'll often see birdsout there with a mixed sort of
(06:07):
modeled appearance during this transition period.
Their eyes are also dark brown or Gray, unlike the adults.
So a slow transition. Exactly once they reach the
adult stage, typically around five years of age, they display
that striking plumage you first mentioned, predominantly white,
with those contrasting black wing tips.
And the yellow head. Ah yes, you might also notice a
(06:29):
subtle yellow hue on their headsnext.
This becomes much more pronounced, almost a rich gold
during the breeding season. Why is that?
It's thought that this yellowishtint, which comes from a natural
carotenoid pigment they get fromtheir diet, plays a role in mate
attraction and signalling reproductive fitness.
Kind of like saying look how healthy and well fed I am.
(06:49):
Makes sense. And as adults their eyes are
that striking pale blue, almost icy blue with the distinct black
ring around them. Quite different from the
juveniles dark eyes. That's a fascinating
transformation, like a slow reveal over several years.
Yeah, but with all these incredible adaptations for the
Dive foraging, their true resilience must lie in how they
(07:10):
survive the unforgiving cold of the North Atlantic.
How do these birds manage to stay warm or maybe even cool
down when it gets too hot? They have a really sophisticated
suite of adaptations for temperature regulation.
It's truly a testament to surviving in pretty extreme
environments. First off, their dense plumage
acts as exceptional feather insulation.
(07:31):
Like a down. Jacket exactly trapping a thick
layer of air close to their skin, which significantly
reduces heat loss in those cold,windy and often wet conditions.
Beneath that, they have a layer of subcutaneous fat.
Extra insulation. Yes, provides additional
insulation and just as importantly, serves as a vital
energy reserve for those long foraging trips and migration.
(07:53):
Right, fuel storage too. What's particularly clever,
though, is their countercurrent heat exchange system, especially
in their legs and feet. Countercurrent.
How does that work? Well, basically warm arterial
blood flowing out from their body core runs in close
proximity to the cooler venous blood returning from their
extremities. Like their feet, which are often
in cold water. The outgoing warm blood warms up
(08:16):
the returning cooler blood before it gets back to the core.
Oh I see, so it minimizes heat loss from the parts exposed to
the cold? Precisely.
It's incredibly efficient behaviorally.
They also do things you'd expect.
They'll bask in the sun to absorb heat, especially after
long foraging trips at sea, And they preen meticulously.
Why is preening so important forwarmth?
(08:37):
Because it's critical for maintaining the waterproof
quality and the insulating loft of their feathers.
If the feathers get matted or water logged, they lose that
insulating property. And in very cold weather,
they'll engage in communal roosting, huddling together in
those dense colonies. We talked about safety in
numbers, but also warmth and numbers.
Like sense and cooling down. Can it get too hot for?
(08:58):
Them it can, surprisingly, even in the North Atlantic, on a
sunny, still day on a crowded Cliff face, overheating can be a
risk. So they can pant just like a dog
or perform what's called Giller fluttering.
Fluttering. Yeah, it's a rapid vibration of
the moist membranes in the throat patch the gular region.
It increases air flow and evaporative cooling, helping
(09:19):
them shed excess heat without losing too much water.
It's truly incredible how many layers of adaptation they have
for their environment. Specialized lungs, dense bones,
built in heating systems, even cooling mechanisms.
Given such intricate biological detail, do we see similar
distinctions between individuals?
Maybe between males and females?Are they easy to tell apart?
(09:42):
You know, surprisingly, no. This is one of those interesting
little facts about gannets. The Northern gannet does not
exhibit significant sexual dimorphism.
Really, they look the same. Remarkably similar, yes, and
plumage in size. While males might be on average
ever so slightly larger or heavier, it's not something you
can easily discern in the field without actually catching and
(10:04):
measuring them. So when you're watching a
colony, you basically and tell who's who just by.
Looking pretty much, yeah. You'd be hard pressed to tell
males from females based on appearance alone, and this
uniform appearance across their entire North Atlantic range is
why the northern gannet is generally considered a monotypic
species. Monotypic meaning.
Meaning there are no recognized subspecies or distinct regional
(10:26):
forms. They all look pretty much the
same wherever you find them. They're high mobility.
Those long migrations and foraging trips ensures plenty of
gene flow between colonies, maintaining those uniform
characteristics. These birds truly are masters of
their environment, in their physical design and their, well,
geographical spread. O where exactly do they call
(10:49):
home? What kind of habitats do they
refer for breeding and for the rest of the year?
Their geographic distributions spans the entire North Atlantic,
really. You'll find major breeding
colonies along the coasts of Western Europe, places like the
UK, Ireland, Iceland, Base Rock and Scotland is famously home
to, well, an absolutely massive colony.
Iconic place it is, but for us focusing here, the western side
(11:11):
of the Atlantic is hugely significant.
Canada is a critical breeding ground, particularly
Newfoundland and Labrador, and especially within the Gulf of
St. Lawrence Quebec specifically.
Absolutely. What's truly remarkable here is
Bonaventure Island and Quebec, and it hosts one of the largest,
most accessible northern gannet colonies in all of North
America. We're talking over 100,000
(11:33):
birds. That must be an incredible sight
and sound. It truly is unforgettable.
These birds strategically choosesteep cliffs and rocky islands
for breeding. These locations offer critical
protection for most terrestrial predators.
Like foxes? Exactly.
Foxes, rats, things like that. And just as importantly, these
spots provide immediate, easy access to the sea for foraging.
(11:54):
They can just launch right off the Cliff edge.
Makes sense, and outside the breeding season.
Then they become highly pelagic.Pelagic meaning out at sea.
Right spending most of their time far out in open ocean
waters following the abundant fish stocks, they undertake
extensive migration southward for the winter.
Birds from eastern Canada might head down the eastern coast of
the United States, some even reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
(12:17):
European birds might head towards the western
Mediterranean or down the coast of West Africa.
Wow, huge journeys. And what fuels these incredible
trips, those thousands of kilometers of migration, not to
mention those energy intensive dives?
What's on the Northern Gannets menu that makes all this
possible? Their diet is almost exclusively
fish. They're specialized fish eaters,
(12:39):
typically targeting schooling species that are between, say, 2
and 30 centimeters long. What kind of fish, mostly.
Their mainstays include energy rich oily fish like mackerel and
herring, but also sandeels and capelin, depending on the region
and the time of year, whatever is abundant locally.
In the hunting method, is that plunged?
Have we talked? About Yes, that's their
signature move, plunge diving from heights of up to well,
(13:02):
sometimes even 40 meters, though10 to 30 is more typical.
Once they hit the water, they often use their wings to fly
underwater, powerfully pursuing their prey.
Flying into. Water in a sense, yes.
Using their wings for propulsionto chase fish down, sometimes
several meters below the surfacebefore catching them with their
sharp pointed beaks. Do they eat anything else?
(13:23):
Occasionally they might consume squid if the opportunity arises,
but fish are definitely their primary fuel source.
They are true specialists. And their role in the ecosystem.
As an apex predator, at least within their specific niche,
northern gannets play a crucial ecological role.
By praying on these small to medium sized fish, they help
(13:43):
regulate those populations, which in turn influences the
entire food web dynamics below them.
Right, keeping things in balance.
Exactly. And here's a truly interesting
aspect. Their guano, the ways they
produce in these huge colonies isn't just waste, it's a vital,
often overlooked nutrient input.It runs off the cliffs into the
(14:05):
coastal waters, essentially fertilizing them.
This supports the growth of phytoplankton, which forms the
base of the food web, ultimatelysupporting the very fish
populations the gannets depend on.
Wow so they're waste helps grow their food?
It's a striking example of a circular ecosystem.
Their existence directly fuels their food source.
It's like they're farming their own dinner in a way.
(14:25):
That's a great point, showing just how intrinsically linked
the species can be to its environment.
But what about the other side ofthe coin?
What preys on these formidable birds, especially given their
vulnerable eggs and young concentrated in those colonies?
That's a key vulnerability, yes,when it comes to eggs and
chicks, they are indeed susceptible to certain
(14:45):
predators. Large goals like the great black
backed gull, which are powerful birds themselves, and corvids,
crows, Ravens are known predators, especially of
unattended eggs or small chicks.So vigilance is key for the
parents. Absolutely, and on islands that
aren't completely predator proofyou might occasionally see
mammalian predators, foxes or sometimes rats if they can gain
(15:08):
access. However, adult northern gannets
have very few natural predators.They're large, powerful birds,
and they are incredibly aggressive, especially when
defending their nest site. That sharp beak is a formidable
weapon. It's quite rare for them to be
preyed upon by larger birds of prey like eagles, or by marine
mammals like seals or sharks outat sea, although it probably
(15:30):
happens occasionally. So how do they defend
themselves, especially the colony as a whole?
And their defence mechanisms arequite effective and they largely
rely on a safety in numbers strategy.
Their primary defence is simply nesting in those massive dense
colonies. The sheer volume is
intimidating. Exactly the sheer number of
birds, often 10s of thousands, packed together creates A
(15:51):
formidable deterrent for many would be predators.
Plus, individual adults are fiercely aggressive in defending
their tiny nesting territory. They use those sharp beats to
Peck and deliver powerful bites to intruders, often drawing
blood. Sounds intense.
It can be. They also employ collective
vigilance and alarm calls. If one bird spots danger and
(16:11):
gives an alarm call, it can mobilize defensive actions like
mass mobbing flights across the entire colony very quickly.
A coordinated defence. Yes, yeah.
And finally, as we mentioned, their choice of remote nesting
locations, those steep cliffs orisolated islands, significantly
reduces access for most terrestrial predators in the
first place. It sounds like an incredibly
(16:32):
efficient, well oiled social defence system.
This is a species that really commits, doesn't it?
You mentioned they often return to the same mate and same
nesting site year after year. Let's talk about their breeding
season and that incredible, often dramatic journey from a
single egg to a fully fledged gannet taking its first flight
into the ocean world. Yes, they are known for their
(16:54):
strong pair bonds and site fidelity.
The breeding season typically kicks off in early spring,
usually around March to April. Does very much.
It can vary slightly by region. For instance, gannets might
arrive back at colonies in Scotland in late February or
early March, while in colder areas like Iceland it might be
slightly later, maybe late Marchor early April.
(17:14):
The timing is very closely linked to food availability.
Ensuring food for the chicks later.
On precisely they need to time it so that the peak food demand
from the growing chick coincideswith the peak abundance of fish
like herring or capelin. Smart and finding a mate.
When it comes to mate attractionand maintaining those bonds,
they have these fascinating, quite ritualized courtship
(17:35):
displays. You'll see pairs engaging in sky
pointing, where they stretch their necks up and point their
bills vertically to the sky, often accompanied by distinctive
guttural calls. High pointing, OK.
There's also bill fencing or billing or partners gently are
sometimes quite vigorously clashed their bills together and
lots of mutual preening where they carefully preen each
(17:57):
other's head and neck. Feathering fitting the bog.
Exactly. All these behaviors help
establish and reinforce their monogamous pair bonds, which as
you said, it can last for many years, often for the life of the
pair. The males typically initiate the
nest building or refurbishing the old nest where they use.
They gather materials like seaweed, grass feathers, bits of
(18:17):
debris, even discarded fishing gear sometimes.
Unfortunately, they then cement it all together with their own
guano, creating a solid cup shaped mound and they show
remarkable fidelity returning tothat same tiny ledge year after
year. So they've chosen their mate.
They've built or rebuilt their home on that crowded Cliff face.
What happens next as they raise their young?
(18:39):
What are the critical developmental stages for these
future ocean masters? The female lays just a single
egg per season. For such a long lived seabird,
this represents a significant reproductive investment each
year. Just one.
Just one and both parents share the responsibility of
incubation, which takes quite a while, about 42 to 46 days.
(19:00):
They take turns using those vascularized webbed feet we
talked about to provide constantwarmth.
Right, the foot warming technique.
Exactly. Once the chick hatches its
altricial meaning meaning it's quite developed, blind,
featherless initially and completely helpless.
It requires significant and constant parental care.
It's a very vulnerable little creature at. 1st so both parents
(19:21):
are kept busy. Extremely busy, both take turns
brooding the chick to keep it warm and protected and foraging
for food. They fly out, sometimes covering
several 100 kilometers on a single trip to find fish like
mackerel, herring or capelin. And bring it back how?
They bring it back in their stomach and then feed the chick
by regurgitating partially digested fish directly into its
(19:42):
throat. Initially, one parent usually
stays with the chick at all times to guard it against
predators like gulls and the often harsh elements.
How long does this chick rearingphase last?
It takes about 11 to 13 weeks from hatching until the chick is
ready to fledge. By then it's almost as large as
an adult, fully feathered in that dark juvenile plumage, but
(20:03):
still quite dependent. And Fletching is that graceful.
Fledging is a dramatic, often quite perilous event.
It's not a gentle glide. The young Gannett, having never
flown before, essentially launches itself off the Cliff
edge. The leap of faith.
Absolutely Buffet. It often involves an
uncontrolled plummet down towards the sea.
They can't really fly properly yet, but their weight and
(20:24):
momentum carry them down. They hit the water and then
they're on their. Own just like that.
Parents don't help. No, the parents don't follow
them down or feed them after they leave the nest site.
The fledgling spends the next few weeks on the water, often
drifting with currents, learningto swim properly, dive and most
importantly, hunt for itself. It's a tough start.
And that's the start of the juvenile stage.
(20:47):
That marks the beginning of their juvenile stage, which
lasts for several years spent entirely at sea.
During this time, their plumage gradually transforms from that
dark brown modeled look to the adult white.
They mature. They hone their flying and
hunting skills. They're much less skilled than
adults initially, and they tend to be more solitary.
(21:08):
They also undertake those extensive migrations.
And eventually they return. Eventually, yes, they reach
sexual maturity around 5 or 6 years of age.
Then, driven by instinct, they returned to their Natal colony,
or perhaps a nearby 1, find a mate, claim a nest site and
begin breeding themselves, completing this incredible life
cycle and starting their own long-term committed
(21:28):
partnerships. It's such a long journey to
maturity. These long life cycles and
distant migrations really speak to a species that has adapted
beautifully, overcoming incredible odds over
evolutionary time. But what challenges do they face
today in their vast North Atlantic home, especially given
increasing human activity in theoceans?
(21:49):
That's the critical question now, isn't it?
Historically, as we touched upon, their range was
concentrated in the North Atlantic, key spots in the
British Isles, Iceland, eastern Canada.
But in the early 20th century, things like intensive hunting
for meat and feathers and widespread big collection
significantly limited their numbers and distribution.
Some colonies were wiped out entirely.
But they've recovered. Remarkably well, yes.
(22:11):
Thanks to protective measures and dedicated conservation
efforts starting mid century, they've experienced a fantastic
recovery and expansion of their range.
Today you'll find significant thriving colonies across the
North Atlantic. And as we highlighted here in
North America, Newfoundland and Quebec are real strongholds,
with iconic sites like Bonaventure Island and Cape St.
Marys and Newfoundland hosting massive, healthy populations.
(22:35):
So the population trend is positive overall.
Generally, yes, the overall population has been increasing.
Their wintering range is also expensive, reaching far South to
the Gulf of Mexico for North American birds and West Africa
for European ones. But, and is a big but, despite
this recovery story, they face several significant and frankly
worrying modern threats. OK, like what?
(22:57):
Overfishing is a major word. The industrial scale reduction
in stocks of their primary prey species, think mackerel herring
sandals, directly leads to food scarcity.
This impacts their breeding success, chick survival rates,
and the overall condition of a doll.
Birds makes sense. Less food, harder life.
Exactly, buy catch is another serious issue.
(23:17):
Gannets diving for fish near Nets or lines can become
accidentally entangled or hookedin fishing gear, leading to
injury or drowning. And pollution.
Pollution is a huge concern. Oil spills are devastating as
oil coats their feathers, destroying the waterproofing and
insulation, leading to hypothermia.
They also ingest toxins when trying to preen the oil off.
Then there's plastic debris. Gannets can mistake floating
(23:40):
plastic for food and ingest it, which can block their digestive
system. Or they can become tangled in
plastic waste, like discarded Nets or packing bands.
And chemical pollution. Yes, chemical contaminants like
POP's persistent organic pollutants from pesticides or
industrial processes are a majorworry.
These toxins accumulate in the marine food web, concentrating
(24:01):
in predators like gannets. They can severely impact the
reproductive success by thinningegg shells or disrupting
hormones, and also weaken their immune systems, making them more
vulnerable to disease. That sounds insidious.
It is. Climate change is another big
one. Rising sea temperatures are
already altering the distribution patterns of fish
stocks, forcing gannets to travel further to find food or
(24:23):
switch to less nutritious prey. More effort for less reward.
Right. And increased storm frequency
and intensity, also linked to climate change, can physically
damage nesting colonies on exposed cliffs and significantly
increased chick mortality, especially for those newly
fledged young out at sea. And direct disturbance.
Habitat disturbance from human activities is also a factor.
(24:44):
Things like coastal development encroaching on colonies,
increased shipping traffic near breeding sites, and even
unregulated tourism can disturb nesting birds, potentially
leading to stress, reduced breeding success, or even nest
abandonment in extreme cases. What about wind farms?
Offshore wind is expanding. That's an emerging concern, yes.
(25:05):
Large offshore wind farms could potentially displace gannets
from important foraging areas, and there's the risk of
collision with the turbine plates for these birds that fly
long distances, often at turbineheight.
The actual impact is still beingstudied, but it's definitely on
the radar. So, given this complex mix of
recovery and ongoing, potentially increasing threats,
what does this all mean for their future?
(25:27):
Are they considered endangered? And crucially, what's actively
being done to protect them, especially in those vital
Canadian colonies, like in Quebec?
Well, the good news, perhaps surprisingly given that list of
threats, is that the northern Gannett is currently classified
as Least Concern on the IUCN RedList of Threatened Species.
Least Concern? That sounds positive.
It does. It indicates that at a global
(25:49):
level, the species is not currently considered as
significant risk of extinction. And as we discussed, their
overall populations have been generally stable or even
increasing over recent decades, which is a real conservation
success story compared to where they were a century ago.
So the efforts worked. Largely, yes.
This positive status is a directresult of sustained and robust
(26:12):
conservation efforts over many years.
A key element is protected areas.
Many of their most important breeding colonies like Bass Rock
and Scotland, and critically forour focus, Bonaventure Island in
Quebec, are designated as protected.
Areas, national parks, or. Reserves Sites of Special
Scientific Interests, SSI's National Parks Wildlife
(26:33):
Reserves. These designations provide legal
protection for the birds and their nesting habitats,
regulating human activities within those zones.
So next time you see that incredible footage, maybe online
or in a documentary, of a Gannett folding its wings and
plummeting into the sea, remember the incredible, deep
story behind each one. It's a testament to evolutionary
(26:53):
adaptation, to sheer survival against the odds, and to that
ongoing, complex dance between nature and humanity's impact.
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