European Herring Gull: a two-minute wildlife lesson
It drums its feet on the grass, like a little dance. The vibrations seem to mimic a digging mole, and worms rush up to escape.
Seabirds · day 5 of 7
Five facts
- It drums its feet on the grass, like a little dance. The vibrations seem to mimic a digging mole, and worms rush up to escape.
- Herring gulls have been seen fishing with bait: they drop pieces of bread on the water to lure goldfish.
- Adult gulls have a red spot on the bill. A hungry chick pecks at that spot to ask for food.
- Worried about your chips? A 2019 study found some gulls were less likely to snatch food when a person looked them in the eye.
- Special glands above its eyes remove extra salt, so it can drink seawater. Still, it prefers fresh water when it can find it.
The quiz
1. Why does a herring gull drum its feet on the ground?
- To call its chicks
- To warm its feet
- To bring earthworms to the surface (correct)
- To clean mud off its toes
The vibrations drive earthworms up, which the gull then eats.
2. What has a herring gull been seen using as bait to catch goldfish?
- Bread (correct)
- Pebbles
- Feathers
- Leaves
It was seen using bits of bread to lure goldfish.
3. How does a hungry chick ask its parent for food?
- It flaps its wings
- It lies on its back
- It pecks the red spot on the adult's bill (correct)
- It stamps its feet
Young gulls peck the red spot on an adult's bill to show they are hungry.
4. In a 2019 study, what made some gulls less likely to grab food near a person?
- Loud music
- The person looking them in the eye (correct)
- A red hat
- Bright sunshine
Some gulls hesitated more to snatch food when the experimenter made eye contact.
5. Which water does a herring gull prefer to drink?
- Seawater only
- Muddy puddle water only
- It never drinks
- Fresh water (correct)
It can drink seawater thanks to its salt glands, but prefers fresh water when available.
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