Have you ever been to the beach and seen big, white birds flying over the water, calling out in loud screeches? Those birds are probably Herring Gulls! These clever birds are found all over the world, especially near the sea. Fitzy and his friends are all Herring Gulls. Let’s dive into some fun facts about them!
1. What Do They Look Like?
Herring Gulls are medium to large-sized birds. They have bright white bodies, grey wings, and black tips on their feathers. One of their coolest features is their bright yellow beak, which has a red spot on it. Their legs are a pale pink colour, and their eyes are usually yellow with a serious stare!
2. Where Do They Live?
Herring Gulls love to hang out by the ocean, but they are also found near lakes, rivers, and even cities. They build their nests on cliffs or flat, rocky areas. Sometimes, they even nest on rooftops in towns! These birds are super adaptable, meaning they can live in lots of different places.
3. What Do They Eat?
Herring Gulls are not picky eaters. They’ll eat almost anything they can find! Fish is one of their favourite foods, but they also eat crabs, insects, and even rubbish left by humans. They are well known for their love of chips, or fries if you’re one of my many American readers. Some Herring Gulls have even learned to crack open shellfish by dropping them onto hard surfaces to break the shells. Pretty smart, right?
4. Why Are They So Loud?
Have you ever heard a gull’s loud, screechy call? Herring Gulls use their voices to talk to each other. They’ll call out to warn other gulls of danger, or to tell them about food they’ve found. This is how the chips reconnaissance squad operate in Fry Cove. Their loud cries might seem annoying to us, but it’s how they communicate!
5. How Smart Are They?
Herring Gulls are known for being clever birds. They can learn quickly and figure out how to get food in creative ways. For example, some gulls follow fishing boats, waiting for fish scraps to be thrown into the water. Others watch people eating at the beach, hoping for an easy snack. There are many funny videos on the internet featuring Herring Gulls stealing food, even from shops!
6. Gulls Are Good Parents
Herring Gulls are caring parents. Both the mum and dad gull take care of their eggs and chicks. After the chicks hatch, the parents work hard to keep them safe and feed them until they’re strong enough to fly on their own.
Next time you see a Herring Gull, you’ll know all about these smart, strong birds! Just remember to keep your chips safe—they might be watching you!
