In North America, gannets are grouped into six different breeding colonies. These colonies are found along the east coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, typically on steep sea cliffs, rock stacks and island cliff tops. The largest breeding colony in the world is found just off the coast of Gaspé, Quebec. Gannets come up to these breeding colonies in the early spring and remain there until their young have fledged and can make the journey southward again toward the Gulf of Mexico.

Male gannets chose a nesting site at around four years of age, beginning their courtship soon after. Courtship involves potential mates displaying formal dips, bows and spreading of the wings. Once a pair has been established, they will often stay together for many years, returning to the same nesting site year after year. They make their nests out of seaweed, feathers, sticks, moss and debris (such as wasted fishing nets), with droppings and fish skeletons added to the nest pile each year. Between late spring and early summer, females lay one pale blue egg. Both parents take turns incubating the egg with their webbed feet. Chicks hatch after about a month but will remain in the nest to be fed regurgitated fish by their parents. By around September the chick’s flight feathers will come in and the new fledgling will make its way clumsily, half-flying and half-tumbling, to the sea where they must quickly learn from their parents and master the art of plunge-diving for prey. The main prey source of northern gannets are small fish, such as mackerel, capelin and sandlance. They also frequently feed on small squid.