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We have one of the largest northern gannet colonies in the world just 10 miles of the Reykjanes Peninsula called Eldey (Fire Island). Roughly 25,000 pairs breed on this island every summer.
Northern gannets are competent divers, diving from heights of up to 30 m and getting to speeds of up to 100 km/h. They have a network of air sacs located between the skin and muscles to cushion the impact of hitting the water. On many occasions we have seen hundreds of gannets flocking together and diving for the delicious food available to them.
| Average Length: | 94 cm |
| Average Weight: | 3 kg |
| Wingspan: | 175 cm |
| Diet: | Sandeels, capelin, herring, small cod, squid |
| Est. population around Iceland: | ~ 31, 500 pairs |
| Residence Period: | All year round |
| Nesting habitat: | Cliff ledges |
| Nesting Period: | Late March to Late June |
| Clutch size (No eggs): | 1 |
| Incubation time (days): | 42-46 |
| Fledging time: | 84-97 |
| Typical life span (years): | 17 |
| Age at first breeding (years): | 5 |
| IUCN world Status: | Least concern |
| Major Threats: | Climate change, over fishing, predation, pollution |
| Other Names: | Súla, Sule, Suula, Baßtölpel, Jan van Gent, Fou de Bassan, Sula, Gluptakzwyczajny, Alcatraz, Havsule, Ganso-patola-comum |