Morus

Gannets are seabirds comprising the genus Morus in the family Sulidae, closely related to boobies. Gannets are large white birds with yellowish heads, black-tipped wings and long bills. Northern gannets are the largest seabirds in the North Atlantic, having a wingspan of up to . The other two species occur in the temperate seas around southern Africa, southern Australia, and New Zealand. Etymology "Gannet" is derived from Old English ganot meaning "strong or masculine", ultimately from the same Old Germanic root as "gander". Taxonomy Morus is derived from Ancient Greek moros "stupid" or "foolish" due to lack of fear shown by breeding gannets and boobies, allowing them to be easily killed.