Seagulls

Seagull Facts

Seagulls are commonplace across the globe. Mating takes place in spring, usually from April through May. Seagulls have long lifespans, and it’s not uncommon for a seagull to live for 20 years or more. Seagulls are scavengers and eat a wide variety of things, including fish, shellfish, bird eggs, insects, garbage, and even leftover food scraps. Seagulls can transmit diseases, like cryptosporidiosis, which is similar to dysentery, and food poisoning.

Seagull Damage

Seagulls are often found near bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, beaches, and ponds. Seagulls can adapt easily and are also seen in fields, airports, parking lots, and even sports stadiums. Natural scavengers, seagulls will generally be attracted to locations with generous amounts of accessible food.

Areas that face large flocks of seagulls are littered with stray feathers and white or brown seagull droppings. Seagulls make loud alarm-like noises. Typically, seagulls like to build nests in trees and on rooftops. The nests are constructed out of sticks, trash, plants, and other debris.

Seagull Infestation

Always hungry, seagulls will steal fish from boats and hatcheries, eat livestock feed, or even attack people for food. Their cawing can be downright irritating if they occur in large groups, and they can contaminate public water supplies when they flock together. These food-loving fliers can also transmit cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease that causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. Gulls can also contaminate food and water with E.coli, the bacteria that causes food poisoning.

Types of Seagulls

Seagull Identification

Seagulls vary in size depending on the species. The laughing gull is approximately 16 inches tall, but the great black-backed gull is nearly twice that height, at 31 inches tall. On the whole, seagulls have thin, long legs and rounded tails. Seagulls have webbed feet and a slightly hooked bill. Most have a white head and breast, orange to yellowish beaks, and black or gray wings.

Seagulls on the Roof & in the Chimney

These birds are difficult to control. However, it may be helpful to try to limit their food sources in order to ward them off. Get rid of stray garbage, cover livestock feed, and shelter any fish that are out in the open. If you see someone feeding these pests, attempt to get them to stop. Getting rid of free food may help discourage seagulls from coming back.

Letting grasses grow a bit longer than usual may stop seagulls from resting in park areas and fields. Draining any standing water can also help. Noisemakers and visual devices may frighten them so that they don’t return. Upsetting their nests may also further discourage seagulls from roosting.