Story: Gannets and boobies

Plunge diving

Plunge diving

Gannets are renowned for their spectacular diving. They fly fairly steadily over the sea at heights between 1 and 20 metres, and plunge when they spot fish. Just before hitting the water they partially fold their wings back and make a near vertical entrance. This bird was photographed at Wellington Harbour.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1995/4215/14a
Photograph by John Nicholson

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Gannets and boobies - Gannets: life history and feeding', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5835/plunge-diving (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015