Gulls, often called seagulls, are seabirds belonging to the family Laridae, known for their powerful flight and opportunistic feeding habits. Gulls do not chirp; that term is generally reserved for the short, high-pitched vocalizations of songbirds. Instead, gulls produce a complex array of calls, cries, and screams that serve various communicative purposes within their social structures.
The True Vocalizations of Gulls
The most familiar sound in a gull’s repertoire is the “Long Call,” sometimes called the “Trumpeting Call.” This complex, loud, and rhythmic series of notes typically starts with low, introductory notes. These build to a series of high-pitched, yelping or squealing sounds. The call often involves the bird throwing its head back in a distinctive posture, and the final notes are a rapid, descending series of squawks. This multi-part call can be heard across long distances and is used throughout the year.
Another distinct sound is the “Mew Call,” a long-drawn, single note that often sounds like a rising wail or a high-pitched cry. It is not as harsh as the Long Call and is associated with a visual display where the gull stretches its neck forward and arches its body. The “Choking Call” is characterized by a low, rhythmic, and guttural grunting sound. This call is delivered with a downward-facing posture, where the bird leans forward.
Gulls also produce a shorter “Alarm Call,” which is a quick, repeated sound, sometimes described as a series of “kek-kek-kek” notes. These rapid, staccato sounds are less intense than the Long Call but convey immediate information. Their structure and pitch are designed to cut through the noise of the coastal environment and the clamor of a gull colony.
What Different Calls Communicate
Each distinct call a gull makes is linked to a specific social or behavioral context. The loud, trumpeting Long Call functions primarily as a powerful, aggressive signal directed at other gulls. It is used to establish and defend territorial boundaries, acting as a challenge to an approaching rival or a celebration of driving one off.
The Mew Call plays a significant role in social bonding and maintenance within the colony, particularly during the breeding season. It is frequently used by a pair of gulls in a duet as part of courtship rituals or to reinforce their pair-bond. This call can also be used in less aggressive territorial disputes, often preceding a physical confrontation.
The Choking Call signals a firm declaration of ownership over a resource, such as a nesting site or food, and is used in both courtship and territorial disputes. By making this low, heaving sound while adopting a defensive posture, the gull communicates a strong commitment to its location. This signal helps to resolve conflicts without the need for physical fighting.
The shorter, sharp Alarm Call is used to alert the flock or a mate to the presence of a predator or immediate threat. Gulls also have submissive vocalizations, such as a high whistling sound paired with a “head toss” gesture. This behavior mimics the begging display of chicks and is used by a subordinate gull to signal submission and avoid an aggressive encounter.
Geographic and Species Differences
The vocal repertoire is not uniform across all gull species; sounds differ significantly between species and even within regional populations. The Long Calls of large gulls can be broadly categorized based on their pitch and quality. Species like the Herring Gull and Glaucous Gull are known as “high yelpers,” producing clear, high-pitched calls.
In contrast, species such as the Great Black-backed Gull and the California Gull are classified as “low yelpers,” having a hoarser and deeper tone. The structure of the calls also varies. For example, the Slender-billed Gull has a Long Call with seven or more repeated syllables, while the Black-headed Gull typically uses four to six syllables.
These differences in frequency, rhythm, and syllable count mean that a call sounding like a territorial threat from one species may be a mere greeting from another. Geographic location can also influence vocalizations, sometimes leading to subtle differences in call frequency or rhythm. Most perceived variations, however, are due to the presence of different gull species in different locations, such as those found along the Atlantic coast versus those near the Great Lakes.