Gannet Rock facts for kids
- See Alderney for another place also called Gannet Rock, which is home to gannets.
Gannet Rock, also known as Horuhoru, is a small, rocky island in New Zealand. It's found in the Hauraki Gulf, a large body of water near Auckland. This special rock is about 1.5 kilometers (about 1 mile) north of Waiheke Island. It's famous because it's a very important home for thousands of Australasian gannets, which are large seabirds.
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Māori: Horuhoru
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| Geography | |
| Location | Hauraki Gulf, Auckland Region |
| Area | 0.01 km2 (0.0039 sq mi) |
| Length | 0.27 km (0.168 mi) |
| Width | 0.07 km (0.043 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 22 m (72 ft) |
| Administration | |
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New Zealand
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Contents
Discovering Gannet Rock
Gannet Rock is a tiny piece of land that sticks out of the ocean. It is so small that it is called an "islet." An islet is just a very small island. This particular islet is rocky and has no people living on it. It measures about 270 meters long and 70 meters wide. That's roughly the length of two and a half football fields! The highest point on the rock is about 22 meters (72 feet) above the sea.
Where is Gannet Rock Located?
Gannet Rock is located in the Hauraki Gulf, which is a beautiful area of water in the northern part of New Zealand. The gulf is near the city of Auckland, which is one of New Zealand's largest cities. The islet is quite close to Waiheke Island, a popular island known for its beaches and vineyards.
Why is Gannet Rock Important for Birds?
Gannet Rock is a very special place for birds. It has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA) by an organization called BirdLife International. An Important Bird Area is a place that is recognized worldwide as being critical for bird populations. These areas are vital for birds to live, feed, and raise their young.
Home to Thousands of Gannets
The main reason Gannet Rock is so important is because it is a nesting site for thousands of Australasian gannets. About 2,500 pairs of these large seabirds come to Gannet Rock to build their nests and lay their eggs. This makes it one of the most important gannet colonies in the region.
About the Australasian Gannets
Australasian gannets are beautiful, large seabirds. They have bright white bodies, black wingtips, and a yellowish head. They are excellent divers and can plunge into the ocean at high speeds to catch fish. These birds spend most of their lives at sea, but they return to places like Gannet Rock to breed. They build their nests close together, creating a busy and noisy colony.
