Australasian Gannet Cape Kidnappers Chicks Hawkes Bay
Photo & Vacation Spot

Month old Australasian Gannet chicks stay close to their mothers on the high cliffs at the Cape Kidnappers Colony in Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand.

At the Cape Kidnappers colony in Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand, the largest in the world, visitors can view the month old Australasian Gannet chicks nestled near the adult birds. These chicks are born near the end of September and throughout the month of October. Fluffy, white plumage on the chicks will eventually change as the birds mature, being able to fend for themselves around three and a half months of age.

The mothers have a lot of work ahead of them once the chicks are hatched as they must feed, clean and teach them survival techniques to ensure their safety in the wild. Around April or May, the Australasian Gannets leave Cape Kidnappers for warmer temperatures and many return to the colony in August for mating and nesting.

Month old Australasian Gannet chick, Morus serrator, at the Cape Kidnappers colony, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand.