Australasian Gannet Colony Chicks Cape Kidnappers NZ
Photo & Vacation Spot

At the Cape Kidnappers Australasian Gannet Colony in Hawkes Bay, NZ, chicks relax as as their mothers tend to their needs.

The Australasian Gannet chicks at Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay, NZ usually hatch in late September through to the end of October. This baby chick is approximately 6-8 weeks old and its mother spends her time cleaning and caring for her young until they are old enough to join the rest of the adult gannets in April or May when they fly to warmer regions.

As the chicks mature, they lose their black coloring and the soft, fuzzy plumage, but their full adult markings are not prominent until they are about five years old. During breeding season, approximately 20,000 Australasian Gannets return to Cape Kidnappers where they begin their mating and nesting routine, a fascinating wildlife scene to see while visiting the North Island of NZ.

Young Australasian Gannet, Morus serrator, (6-8 weeks old) with adult at Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay, East Coast, North Island, New Zealand.