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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.

About this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Evening Post Collection (PAColl-0614)
Reference: EP/1995/4215/14a
Photograph by John Nicholson

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

How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff. 'Gannets and boobies', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/gannets-and-boobies/2/3