Gannets are known to be some of the best hunters in nature, and diving from heights of more than 300 feet to catch their meals, it’s easy to see why.
These large seabirds have adaptations perfect for their brand of hunting, referred to as plunge diving.
Their specialized eyelids protect their eyes from the potential damage of hitting the surface of the ocean at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour, and their large webbed feet provide propulsion in the water and make them highly skilled swimmers, which come in handy once they’re in the ocean. Their front-set eyes are what allows them to judge distance as they dive.
They are so good at detecting where fish are in the depths of the ocean, fisherman often use them as scouts when choosing a place to drop their anchors. Even their highly efficient flight movements were studied by the Wright brothers when they were preparing for their first flight.
Holding their breath for 30 to 45 seconds, gannets are able to search underwater for their meal if their initial dive was not successful. They will stay underwater and hunt as a flock, sometimes more than 60 feet below the surface of the ocean.
Watch them in the video below, narrated by David Attenborough:
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