Cape Kidnappers is home to approximately 17,000 birds which have four different locations used for nesting colonies.
The Plateau, Saddle and the Black Reef are three of the four areas where the Australasian Gannets return to nest every year. After the chicks are hatched, they remain at the colony until they are about 16 weeks old and then they take flight for their yearly migration. Their return journey to the Saddle Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand is made every 3 to 5 years, where the circle of life continues.