Young Gannet Cape Kidnappers New Zealand: Scientific Name:
Morus serrator
A mother Australasian Gannet cleans her young that is between six and eight weeks old at the Cape Kidnappers Colony in Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand. Most Gannet chicks hatch between late September through till the end of October at Cape Kidnappers Colony and then the mother will take care of them until they are ready to set flight on their own.
When the Australasian Gannet is still young like this one, they are still fairly black in color but more of the soft billowy plumage slowly changes to white. Older gannets seen in the background of this picture still show off some of their downy feathers and yellow colored underside. These colors will eventually change as they mature but their markings will not be as clear as...
... their mothers' until they are about five years old.
Preparing the young Gannets for the upcoming months is a chore that the mother does to perfection. Feeding the young gannet so it fattens up, cleaning and teaching it are just a few things that the mother needs to do before it is ready for flight in April or May. At this time all the Gannets head to the warmer temperatures which is an annual event for this birds.
When you visit Cape Kidnappers on the North Island of New Zealand, tours will take you to this Gannet Colony which is the world's largest. Over 20,000 Australasian Gannets return to the cliffs at Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand every year to begin their mating and nesting rituals.
Young Australasian Gannet, Morus serrator, (6-8 weeks old) with adult at Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay, East Coast, North Island, New Zealand.
A mother Australasian Gannet tends to her young on the cliffs at Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand.
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