Australasian Gannets Cape Kidnappers Colony New Zealand
Photo & Vacation Spot

A few of the Australasian Gannets at the Cape Kidnappers Colony in Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand, stand on the high rock cliff looking out over the Pacific Ocean.

Thousands of Australasian Gannets reside at the Cape Kidnappers colony in Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand during the breeding season. Cape Kidnappers is known as the largest colony around New Zealand and visitors to the area can easily hike up these cliffs to see these birds in their natural environment. The best viewing time is in late September and throughout October after the chicks have hatched and the adults tend to their young.

Three members of the colony are enjoying some quiet time where they can look out over the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Ocean from the high cliffs. The distinctive yellow, black and white markings are very prominent on these birds and as they take to the sky from these cliffs, their massive wingspan heads downward to the ocean's surface for food.

Australasian Gannets, Morus serrator, resting near the cliff edge on the fringes of the Cape Kidnappers colony, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand.