Cape Gannet
A species of Gannets Scientific name : Morus capensis Genus : Gannets
Cape Gannet, A species of Gannets
Botanical name: Morus capensis
Genus: Gannets
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Rainer Halama , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
When seen in flight the snow-white body with the black tail, primaries and secondaries, and dark bill makes them easy to identify. At closer range the distinctive golden crown and nape, which gradually becomes white on the neck, is noticeable. Juveniles and immatures are dark brown with a pale bill, and can resemble the dark-coloured boobies at first glance. Adults are about 84–94 cm (33–37 in) long and have a 171–185 cm (67–73 in) wingspan and weigh ca. 2.6 kg (5.7 lb). The Cape gannet is identified from the Australasian gannet by the all-black tail, a longer black stripe down the throat (from underneath the beak) and more extensive black on the face, but all of these features are difficult to identify unless at close proximity. The Cape gannet is also very similar to the northern gannet, but the latter differs from its entirely white tail and its wings, which are only black at the tip. It also is similar to the blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii).
Size
90 cm
Feeding Habits
Cape Gannet primarily feeds on fish, captured through high-energy plunge-diving from heights. This feeding behavior is distinctive, highlighting their adaptation to a piscivorous diet.
Habitat
The habitat of cape Gannet is strictly marine, predominantly distributed around coastal regions where the continental shelf extends. Cape Gannet is found mostly within 120 kilometers of the coastline. Their breeding grounds are characteristically on offshore islands, which are either flat or have a gentle slope.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Species Status
ENDANGERED. Very small breeding range, basically restricted to six islands, and considered to be at risk owing to over-exploitation of its food by commercial fisheries.
Photo By Rainer Halama , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Gannets and Relatives Family
Sulids Genus
Gannets Species
Cape Gannet