Northern Gannet Colony Bonaventure Island

by Marlin and Laura Hum

Title

Northern Gannet Colony Bonaventure Island

Artist

Marlin and Laura Hum

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

This is a Northern gannet colony located in Parc national de l'île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé in Gaspé, Quebec, Canada. They were nesting on these grounds on the coast of Bonaventure Island. We were delighted to be able to see them despite the cloudy, rainy conditions often encountered in maritime Canada. This is one of six Northern Gannet colonies in North America.
"Nearly as large as an albatross, the Northern Gannet is sharp in every respect, with a heavy, sharp bill, pointed tail, and long slender wings. Adults are snowy white with black wingtips and a crown washed with gold.
Northern Gannets are monogamous and mate for life, very much like albatrosses. Pairs form, and renew their bonds, at the breeding colony, called a gannetry, which may contain thousands of pairs in close proximity to each other. Young birds also return to the colony in their second or third year, forming “clubs” of birds that rest together and begin to learn the local fishing routes. Males begin to claim a breeding site in a colony in their third or fourth year, shaking their head side to side frequently, biting the nest site itself, and stretching the neck toward females that show interest. Clashes between males over nest sites can be intense, with bills locked and much pushing at the cliff edge; injuries are not uncommon. Once partnered, male and female greet each other at the nest site each time they reunite, the males shaking the head, the females offering the nape for the male to nibble. They also engage in so-called “mutual fencing,” wherein they face each other, often touching, calling, shaking heads side to side as their bills clack together, bowing, and finally preening each other’s neck. Both parents care for and feed the young, taking turns on fishing excursions that may last several days. Both sexes defend the nest and chicks aggressively against other gannets, using threat displays such as jabbing with the bill. After breeding, they forage off Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence before migrating southward. They spend the nonbreeding months at sea, or in large water bodies such as marine bays. They are usually in sizable flocks executing swift, spectacular dives to capture schooling fish." (www.allaboutbirds.org)
2nd place winner in Gannets and Boobies contest March 2021
2nd place win in M is for Multiples contest-ABC group June 2023
This northern gannet photo has been featured in the following Fine Art America groups:
Canada 08/08/2019
World Landscape Lovers of Art 08/08/2019
Wild Birds of the World 08/09/2019
Visions of Spring Glances of Summer 08/09/2019
Animals 08/09/2019
A Birding Group Wings 08/11/2019
FAA Portraits-Birds 08/12/2019
Your Very Best Photography 08/13/2019
Wildlife One a Day 08/14/2019
Special Artist Feature in Visions of Spring Glances of Summer 08/14/2019
Coastal Water Birds 08/21/2019
ABC group 01/21/2020
The Nature of Canada 06/15/2020
Art of Atlantic Canada 09/12/2020
1000 Views 10/15/2021
Unlimited National Parks 08/20/2022
Go Take a Hike Photography group 03/01/2023

Uploaded

August 8th, 2019

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