Cape Gannet

Also known as African Gannet

Cape gannets are striking marine birds celebrated for their spectacular high-altitude plunge dives, piercing the ocean surface at speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour to capture schooling fish. Nesting in densely packed colonies on offshore islands around southern Africa, pairs display elaborate greeting displays involving bill-clattering and neck-stretching. Overfishing and shifting ocean currents have severely depleted their main food sources, placing significant pressure on remaining breeding populations.