Are seagulls the biggest nuisance in Whitby? According to our followers, they certainly are. But are seagulls dangerous?
Seagulls are typically not aggressive birds in their nature, except when protecting their nests. However, they can be a nuisance in seaside towns like Whitby, which have high foot traffic and loads of fish and chip shops/ food outlets in a small area. They often make a mess with their droppings, which can fall on washing, gardens, and people. Additionally, they may cause damage to property by picking at roofing materials or nesting in gutters. Most annoyingly, they are known for stealing food, so it’s advisable to cover your chips when eating outside. An annoyance, yes, but let’s discuss: are seagulls dangerous?
What are seagulls?
You might be surprised to learn that no bird species is named ‘seagull’! Seagulls, the birds we commonly refer to, are called gulls – and there are over 50 kinds of them.
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Types of gulls commonly seen in the UK
- Herring Gull: In the UK, the Herring Gull is commonly referred to as a seagull. It has a large body, white head, and grey flecks on its upper body, resembling the stereotypical seagull appearance.
- Lesser Black-Backed Gull: This gull is slightly smaller than the Herring Gull and is frequently seen along our coastlines. Its dark grey upper body, black wingtips, and bright yellow legs make it easy to identify.
- Great Black-Backed Gull: The Great Black-Backed Gull is significantly bigger than a Herring Gull. In contrast to the Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, they sport darker upper bodies and light pink legs instead of bright yellow ones.
- Common Gull: The common gull is the tiniest member of the gull family. It resembles a miniature version of the Herring Gull, featuring pale grey speckles, yellow legs, and a slender yellow bill.
When are seagulls likely to be most aggressive?
Seagulls are more assertive and aggressive when nesting and defending their chicks. They also display aggressive behaviour when food is scarce or when they sense a predator nearby.
Can seagulls bite?
Despite their strong beaks, seagulls rarely rely on biting rather than swallowing food whole. However, it’s important for people to be cautious when in close proximity to a hungry or distressed seagull, as they may attempt to bite, and their sharp beaks can cause a painful pinch.
Why do seagulls steal food/attack humans?
Gulls are intelligent creatures, especially for their size, and they have discovered that humans are an easy food source. Despite warnings against it, many people still enjoy feeding seagulls along the coast, making the problem worse.
Gulls have grown accustomed to easy access to food and now view humans as food sources. This, combined with their lack of fear of humans, has created a dangerous situation. Seagulls frequently snatch food directly from people’s hands, swooping down for chips and other seaside treats.
Due to their size and wingspan of around 140cm, they often make physical contact with humans in their attempts to steal food. Contact with their wings, claws, and beaks has been known to cause injuries, including broken bones, fractures, cuts, and bruises.
Seagulls have also been reported to attack humans when they come too close to their nests. They are fiercely protective creatures, especially during bird nesting season (April to July), and anyone who intrudes can expect a strong reaction and possible injuries.
Do seagulls carry diseases?
Seagulls often scavenge through rubbish along the coast, which means they can pick up bacteria and diseases. They can spread diseases like Psittacosis, Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, and E. coli found in their droppings. When seagull droppings solidify and turn to dust, passersby can inhale contaminated particles since the droppings are left in various places like cliffs, sand, pavements, window ledges, and roofs.
Are seagulls a danger to pets?
Multiple incidents have occurred of seagulls snatching small dogs. Seagulls are strong enough to carry the weight of small dogs and often prey on animals like rabbits. If you have small pets in your outdoor space, especially near the coast, it’s essential to take caution.
How to prevent and react to a seagull attack
If you find yourself in the middle of a seagull attack, you can use a few tactics to stay safe.
Seagulls typically attack when they perceive you as a threat to their chicks. Seagulls will warn you with their calls if you’re near their nest, and you should move away. Ignoring the warnings may lead to them swooping or diving to attack. If this happens, raise your arms to protect your head and try to get away from the seagulls as quickly as possible. Despite panicking, try to remain calm and avoid provoking the seagulls further.
If you plan to enjoy your fish and chips by the sea, finding an area away from the seagulls is best. Look for a sheltered or secluded spot away from the crowds to enjoy your food in peace. Also, keep your food close to you/covered and avoid walking around with it out in front of you to prevent attracting the attention of seagulls.
Gulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it an offence to intentionally injure or kill any gull, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.
Our best advice is to cover your food while walking around, not leave food unattended, and, most importantly, don’t feed the seagulls! Have you ever had your food stolen or been attacked by a seagull in Whitby? If so, please share your story in the comments below.
Oh yes! I had just sat down to eat an expensive fresh crab sandwich in a teacake when a large gull mugged me from behind. It grabbed the sandwich and landed right in front of me then had the cheek to eat my lovely butty while I watched it disappear down it’s gullet.