Australasian Gannet

Meet one of the most skilled birds of our oceans, the Australasian gannet (Morus serrator). This is a striking large seabird known for its incredible high-speed dives and specialized anatomy. Found along the southern coasts of Australia and New Zealand, these birds are expert hunters, plunging into the ocean from heights of up to 30 meters to catch fish with remarkable precision.

Australasian gannets use a streamlined body and sharp vision to spot fish from the air. When they dive, they fold their wings tightly against their bodies and enter the water like a missile, reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h! They feed mostly on squid, and forage fish that school near the surface.

To minimise the impact of these high-speed dives, they have air sacs inside their heads and thickened skull to protect their brain.

Australasian gannets are mostly white, with striking black markings on the wing tips and tail, and a buff-yellow head. While they are mostly solitary hunters at sea, once they located fish, others will follow, which can lead to a very large flock of diving birds!

These birds breed in large, noisy colonies on offshore islands. In Bass Strait, major nesting sites include Lawrence Rocks and islands around Tasmania. They build their nests on rocky ledges and grassy slopes, using seawees, mud and guano. Breeding pairs are monogamous and return to the same nesting sites each year, raising a single chick per season.

On board our cruises you have a very good chance of spotting these magnificent seabirds around Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory.