Simon Willison Spotlights Rare California Northern Gannet

Technologist Simon Willison has highlighted a unique ecological anomaly in Pillar Point Harbor, California: the ongoing residency of Morris, the only known Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) in the entire Pacific Ocean.

Morris first arrived in the region 14 years ago, initially appearing in the Farallon Islands off the coast of San Francisco. Since that initial appearance, the bird has made Pillar Point Harbor his permanent home, becoming a local celebrity in the process.

For local wildlife observers and birdwatchers, Morris is exceptionally easy to identify. He is the only white bird with a yellow head in the area, and he typically associates with smaller, black Brandt’s cormorants near the harbor sign, which is visible from the end of the commercial pier.