EPISODE · Feb 1, 2026 · 1 MIN
George McGavin on the Gannet
from Tweet of the Day · host BBC Radio 4
As a child, the entomologist George McGavin found a dead gannet on the beach, and set about extracting the skull for his collection. He was fascinated to discover the hundreds of pointed barbs in its mouth. Now years later he marvels at this clever bit of evolution which prevents fish falling out of gannets' beaks as they dive into the water then become airborne again.Produced by Sophie Anton for BBC Audio in Bristol.
What this episode covers
As a child, the entomologist George McGavin found a dead gannet on the beach, and set about extracting the skull for his collection. He was fascinated to discover the hundreds of pointed barbs in its mouth. Now years later he marvels at this clever bit of evolution which prevents fish falling out of gannets' beaks as they dive into the water then become airborne again.Produced by Sophie Anton for BBC Audio in Bristol.
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George McGavin on the Gannet
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