Seagulls are common and adaptable birds found across many environments, from coastlines to urban centers. This article explores their varied diet, highlighting natural foraging behaviors and how human activities have influenced their food sources.
Wild Diet
Seagulls are omnivorous and highly opportunistic feeders. Along coastlines, they commonly prey on live fish and marine invertebrates, either catching them from the water’s surface or by plunge diving. They also forage for crustaceans (crabs, shrimp) and mollusks (clams, mussels), often cracking shells with their beaks or by dropping them.
Beyond marine life, seagulls consume terrestrial invertebrates including insects like grasshoppers and beetles, and earthworms, which they often find by foot paddling on wet grass. They are known to eat the eggs and young of other birds, and will also scavenge on carrion, or dead animals, when available. While less common, they may also consume plant matter such as berries and seeds.
Seagulls and Human Food Sources
Human presence has significantly altered the dietary patterns of many seagull populations, leading them to become adept scavengers in urban and coastal environments. A substantial portion of their diet in these areas now consists of discarded food. This includes leftovers from picnics, restaurants, and general waste found in landfills and trash bins.
Seagulls also benefit from fishery discards. Pet food left outdoors can become an accessible food source for them. Direct feeding by humans, often with items like bread or chips, further reinforces their reliance on human-provided food. This shift in diet has contributed to their reputation as “nuisance” birds in some areas due to their scavenging behavior and congregations around human activity.
What Not to Feed Seagulls
While seagulls appear to eat almost anything, many common human foods are detrimental to their health and offer little to no nutritional value. Bread, for instance, fills them up without providing essential nutrients, potentially leading to malnutrition. A diet high in bread can also cause “angel wing” deformity in young birds, where wing joints develop improperly.
Processed foods and junk food, high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, are particularly harmful to seagulls. Specific foods toxic to birds, including seagulls, are avocado, chocolate, onions, and garlic. Additionally, any food that comes with plastic packaging poses a serious risk, as seagulls may ingest the plastic, leading to internal injuries or blockages. Generally, it is best to avoid feeding wild animals, including seagulls, to prevent dependency and health issues.