Gannet - Troup Head RSPB - Scotland
One of our largest seabirds, gannets feed on fish, which they catch by diving head-first into the sea, their wings folded right back. Diving from heights of 30m, they can hit the water at speeds of up to 60mph. They have an extensive network of air-sacs between their muscles and skin to help cushion this impact.
The gannet is easily identified: a big, white bird with black wingtips and a yellow head. It can be spotted circling high above the waves before performing its characteristic fishing dive.
Nests on coastal cliffs around the north of the UK, sometimes in large colonies like those on some Scottish islands, and at sites in Wales, North East England and the Channel Islands. Can be seen around most of our coasts during migration.