Gannets are seabirds comprising the genus Morus, in the family Sulidae, closely related to boobies. "Gannet" is derived from Old English ganot, ultimately from the same Old Germanic root as "gander". Morus is derived from Ancient Greek moros, "foolish", due to the lack of fear shown by breeding gannets and boobies, allowing them to be easily killed. Gannets are large white birds with yellowish heads; black-tipped wings; and long bills. Northern gannets are the largest seabirds in the North Atlantic, having a wingspan of up to 2 m (6.6 ft). The other two species occur in the temperate seas around southern Africa, southern Australia, and New Zealand. Learn more about Gannet
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Gannet Species Videos
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Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status |
Australian Gannet (112 videos) | Morus serrator | Least concern |
Blue-footed Booby (111 videos) | Sula nebouxii | Least concern |
Brown Booby (35 videos) | Sula leucogaster | Least concern |
Cape Gannet (104 videos) | Morus capensis | Endangered |
Masked Booby (19 videos) | Sula dactylatra | Least concern |
Nazca Booby (23 videos) | Sula granti | Least concern |
Northern Gannet (511 videos) | Morus bassanus | Least concern |
Red-footed Booby (2674 videos) | Sula sula | Least concern |