Cape gannets are easily identified by their large size, silky black and white plumage and the distinctive golden-yellow hue to their crown and hindneck (4). When seen in flight, the black colour of the tail, primaries and secondaries, and stripe down the centre of the throat, provides a striking contrast to the otherwise snow-white body (4) (5). There are also distinctive black lines around the beak and on the face (6). The powerful, pale blue bill is pointed with fine serrations near the tip, and the large feet are webbed between each toe (5) (7). Juveniles are dark brown, and gradually gain increasing amounts of the white feathers of the adult plumage after their first year (2) (3).
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