Photo: Winfried Bruenken (Amrum) / CC BY-SA 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cape Gannet
Morus capensis
Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Africa.
Found across 5 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) is a member of the Sulidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 2.6 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Sulidae Gannets, Boobies
- Genus Morus
- Species capensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.6 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Sulidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cape Gannet hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Cape Gannet is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) is a member of the Sulidae family, within the order Suliformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF islands off Namibia and s Africa.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.6 kg, with a wing length of about 45 cm and a tail of around 17.3 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cape Gannet?
The Cape Gannet is a very large bird that weighs around 2.6 kg.
Where does the Cape Gannet live?
The Cape Gannet is found across Africa with a range covering AF islands off Namibia and s Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Cape Gannet belong to?
The Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) belongs to the Sulidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Cape Gannet eat?
The Cape Gannet hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Cape Gannet migrate?
The Cape Gannet is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Cape Gannet endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Cape Gannet make?
1 real field recording of the Cape Gannet can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Cape Gannet's range?
The Cape Gannet has a mapped global range of about 3 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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