Morus bassanus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Northern gannet
French : Fou de Bassan

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Sulidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Largest member of its family, reaching a length of 1 m for a weight of 3.6 kg. Long gray bill with black stripe and base. Head rufous-orange, rest of plumage white with black flight feathers. Long white tail, black legs.

Range and habitat
This species ranges around Atlantic Ocean, it winters at sea and breeds on shores of far-eastern Canadian islands, Iceland, north British Isles and Norway. Breeds on isolated oceanic islands, rarely on rocky cliffs.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is numerous and its numbers are increasing after periods of heavy persecution by men during the XIXth and XXth centuries.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Artis Royal Zoo (Netherlands), Berlin Tierpark (Germany), Wilhelma (Germany)

 

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