Photo: Australasian Gannet Sea Birds Hawkes Bay New Zealand

Australasian Gannets hang out on a cliff-top colony together at Cape Kidnappers, which is located in the Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand. Adults of this species can be identified by their white bodies with dark wing tips and yellow heads.

The Australasian Gannet, known by its proper name as Morus serrator, is a large seabird that is part of the Gannet family. This area of Hawkes Bay, is one of the areas that the birds breed every year, and they do breed and nest in large colonies just off the coast; such as can be seen here.

When these birds meet to nest, they perform an elaborate ritual that involves tapping their bills together, among other things, and once they have chosen a mate, they can stay with them for several seasons before moving on.

While these birds are not an endangered species, some colonies have been completely wiped out and areas where they used to nest are now empty. However, some populations of them have increased steadily over the years, and conservationists are unsure why this is happening. ... continue below the picture...

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This colony at Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay is the largest in the world of these Australasian Gannet sea birds, and visitors can come here to watch these birds in their natural habitat. Visitors are told to be careful however, as to disturb these birds while they are in their natural environment could affect how and where they breed in future.

Adult Australasian Gannet, Morus serrator, in a colony at Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand.