Northern Gannet | Diving that will leave you speechless

They make it look easy. Soaring effortlessly in the air, or diving head first into the dark, frothy sea, the Northern Gannet seems equally at home in both air and water.

As the stiff wind keeps them aloft, they eye the movement of fish, some 100 feet below them. When the moment is just right, they turn their flight downward. They fold their 6 foot-long wings in at just the last moment, transforming their bodies into a feathered dart that pierces the water's surface.

Whether it's a couple of birds or hundreds, the diving gannets are a sight to behold. It's hard not to stare. It's hard not to be awe-struck by their fishing prowess, by their elegance, and the dangerous way they make their living.

A gannet's dive may be relatively shallow or as deep as 72 feet. They turn their graceful flight into a kind of aquatic flying, their wings and feet propelling them into the liquid realm of submarine as they pursue schooling fish.

Northern gannets are the largest gannet in the family Sulidae, and are known as Morus bassanus. Their cousins include the Cape Gannet of southern Africa, the Australasian Gannet of southern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, and various species of boobies who inhabit the warmer waters around the equator...

Chapters:
Introduction 00:00
Relatives of the Northern Gannet 01:26
Where are they found? 01:48
Terrestrial and Aquatic Eyes 02:55
How do they dive without sustaining injury? 04:14
Where are its nares? 06:10
Waterproof feathers 06:52
Nesting 07:17
First Flight 08:56
Conclusion 09:54

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Photos and videos from free use sites, name and site credited in video.

Wikipedia Creative Commons License

Photo at 06:23 by Andreas Trepte from Wikipedia Creative Commons

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[synistralpsyche]

I’ve been in the ocean, surrounded by them, they are one of my favorite birds because of that experience. I passed by a Gannettry called Little Skellig, where I believe ~70, 000 nest. They are indeed noisy but its an amazing time to be surrounded by them and see them dive

[jeffolson]

Your videos are very good. I learn something every time I watch them.

[dianestiner]

Again an extraordinary bird !With so exquisite colors and incredible skills. Wonderfull video TY

[debrapeasley]

Excellent content. I had no idea they had those great adaptations for diving underwater. They're beautiful birds.

[travisbicklejr]

I’m seriously impressed with your videos! Thank you for your content! Would you consider doing a video on the elf owl?