Herring Gulls and food (1 Viewer)

[JTweedie]

Research shows that Herring Gulls observe what humans are eating and preferentially choose to eat the same thing as us.

Gulls choose what to eat by watching humans, study suggests

Research on gulls in Brighton found birds can work out which scraps are worth snaffling by watching what humans are eating

www.theguardian.com

 

[Andy Lakin]

There was a piece on the radio yesterday discussing the largest/ heaviest food item nicked by a gill. 2nd place went to an unsuccessful attempt to fly off with a FULL 12 inch pizza. First place went to a gull flying off with an 8oz steak! What impressed me as well was that the restaurant owner replaced the steak FOC that's proper service.

I remember watching the gulls on the tip near RSPB Saltholme going through the hazardous i.e yellow bin bags from hospitals care homes etc and having a feast, seriously turned my stomach! Also another time they were dumping literally tonnes of sliced bread and the larger gulls were wolfing down full slices which was impressive.

 

[JTweedie]

Yeah they don't bother breaking their food down into small pieces - down in one go, usually under pressure from other gulls who want it themselves!

 

[Prestdj]

There was a piece on the radio yesterday discussing the largest/ heaviest food item nicked by a gill. 2nd place went to an unsuccessful attempt to fly off with a FULL 12 inch pizza. First place went to a gull flying off with an 8oz steak! What impressed me as well was that the restaurant owner replaced the steak FOC that's proper service.

I remember watching the gulls on the tip near RSPB Saltholme going through the hazardous i.e yellow bin bags from hospitals care homes etc and having a feast, seriously turned my stomach! Also another time they were dumping literally tonnes of sliced bread and the larger gulls were wolfing down full slices which was impressive.

now and then i visit redcar tarn on the outskirts of bradford.....ive seen people turn up with a car boot full of old mouldy bread within seconds its gone

gulls if they cant eat it the will just play with it!

 

[Andy Lakin]

now and then i visit redcar tarn on the outskirts of bradford.....ive seen people turn up with a car boot full of old mouldy bread within seconds its gone

gulls if they cant eat it the will just play with it!

I've always been puzzled why gulls seem to enjoy playing with items. I can't understand why once they have decided an item is inedible they don't just discard it.