My daughter and I recently visited the beach, happily spending the day by the sea. At first glance, it seemed like just another ordinary day at the beach - the sun was shining, the waves were gently lapping at the shore, and we were relaxing in the shade. But, as often happens, the calm afternoon suddenly turned into a scene that left us with a bitter taste. While my daughter was contentedly nibbling on a bite of food we bought at a nearby café, something unexpectedly happened. Out of nowhere, a seagull swooped down towards us and snatched the morsel from her hands. Her tears and surprise were quickly replaced by a smile on her face. This wasn’t the first time we had witnessed such an event, and it probably won’t be the last.

Seagulls in urban areas: unexpected rivals
In recent decades, seagulls, especially the herring gulls (Larus argentatus), have become frequent visitors in urban environments. Adapting their natural behaviors to urban conditions is something that fascinates researchers. Although they have not evolved alongside humans, these birds have managed to find ways to exploit the opportunities that cities and tourist spots offer. Their tendency to observe human activities, especially when food is involved, shows their ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations. However, while these are interesting examples of adaptability for researchers, for coastal city residents and tourists, seagulls are becoming an increasing problem.

Seagull dietary preferences: natural food or human delicacies?
Interestingly, even though seagulls are ubiquitous at beaches and often considered unwelcome guests at our picnics, studies show that they still prefer their natural diet. A study conducted on young seagulls found that even when fed human food such as bread and cat food, they still showed a stronger preference for fish and other seafood. This finding suggests that while seagulls can survive on human food, it is not their first choice when natural food is available. It seems that despite the availability of quick and easy food provided by people, seagulls maintain their natural instincts and prefer the diet that has been evolutionarily ingrained in them.

Impact of urbanization on seagull behavior
Urbanization of coastal areas has led to significant changes in seagull behavior. It is believed that adapting to urban conditions is a relatively new phenomenon for these birds, as their coexistence with humans has intensified only in the last 80 years or so. While they were previously exclusively marine birds, today seagulls are often seen searching through trash cans, stealing food from restaurant terraces, or even entering homes in search of food. This change in behavior demonstrates an incredible flexibility and intelligence among seagulls, but also highlights the problems urbanization can cause for wildlife.

Observational and learning ability: key to seagull success
One of the main reasons seagulls are so successful in urban environments is their ability to observe and learn. Research shows that seagulls can watch people eating and learn to recognize certain types of food as potential sources of food for themselves. This ability to learn through observation makes them highly adaptable but also unpredictable. It appears that seagulls not only react to immediate opportunities but also actively seek out situations where they can obtain food with minimal effort.

Consequences of adaptation to urban environments
While the adaptation of seagulls to urban environments allows them to survive in conditions where natural food is less available, it also brings about a number of problems. Firstly, seagulls that rely on human food often face nutritional deficits, as human food does not provide the same nutritional values as their natural diet. Additionally, such dependence on humans can lead to conflicts, both with people and with other animals, and potentially disrupt the ecosystem.

How to avoid conflicts with seagulls?
Given all this, the question arises: how to avoid conflicts with seagulls? The first and most important thing is to avoid feeding seagulls. Although it may seem like a harmless activity, feeding seagulls only encourages their undesirable behavior. Also, when eating outdoors, it is advisable to be aware of your surroundings and try to avoid open areas where seagulls have unrestricted access. Directly looking at seagulls can deter them, and sitting in a sheltered area or turning your back to the wall can also reduce the likelihood of being surprised by them in flight.

Although seagulls are adaptable and intelligent birds, it is important to understand that their presence in urban environments is not always positive for them or for people. With the right approach and understanding of their behavior, we can reduce conflicts and ensure a coexistence that is acceptable for everyone.

Original:
Neeltje BoogertRoyal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow, University of Exeter