Home › Aves › Sulidae › Cape Gannet (Morus capensis)
SPECIES PROFILE
Cape Gannet (Morus capensis)
Morus
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Southern African coasts
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Offshore seas; breeds on a few islands
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Suliformes
FAMILY
Sulidae
GENUS
Morus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 90 cm; wingspan 1.7 m
COLORATION
White with black wingtips and a golden head
ADAPTATIONS
Plunge-dives from height, hitting the water at up to 100 km/h
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Offshore seas; breeds on a few islands
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Southern African coasts
REPRODUCTION
Single egg
DIET DETAILS
Sardines and anchovies
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Overfishing, oiling
💡 Interesting Facts
1
A spectacular diver that folds its wings and hits the sea like a spear at 100 km/h.
2
Almost the entire species breeds on just six islands off southern Africa.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Lambert's Bay (Bird Island)
Bird Island, Algoa Bay
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
September-April
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Visit the Lambert's Bay colony where thousands nest wing-tip to wing-tip; they plunge-dive offshore.
