Read About Seagulls

Birds, more specifically, Seagulls, are tough predators. Until recently they have been very hard to get rid of. Here's everything you need to know about them.

Birds Seagulls -- Facts

1. Breed:

   Seagulls belong to the family Laridae, of the Charadriiformes order.

2. Size:

   Seagulls are about 50 to 68 cm from their head to their tails.

3. Life Span:

   They have a life span of about 8 to 10 years.

4. Varieties:

   There are more than a hundred types of seagulls, divided into six genera. They show distinctions on the basis of color, size, habitat and food habits.

5. Origins:

   The exact place where seagulls may have originated is not known. In fact, there has been such a huge migration of these birds that today they are found everywhere in the world.

6. Physical Traits:

   These are large birds with a light colored body and black wing tips. They have a dark mantle that can be of any shade between deep black to dark grey. They show seasonal variations in color.

7. Temperament:

   Gulls are very noisy birds, and they have a tendency to crowd at places. They will hunt for food in groups. This becomes an irritation to many people. Gulls are considered to be a serious nuisance in harbors, ports and storage houses near the sea.

8. Trainability:

   Seagulls cannot be human-trained. They posses innate hunting skills. They are birds of high flight.

Birds Seagulls -- Care

1. Habitat:

   Though seagulls are birds that fly very high, they cannot be termed as totally aerial in their habitat, as they lay their eggs on the ground. Even their egg laying is a group activity.

2. Food:

   Seagulls are scavenging birds. They will eat everything from dead fish and garbage, to field mice and insects.

3. Compatibility:

   Seagulls are immensely sociable within their own breed. Hundreds of gulls can be seen together and they rarely fight with each other.

Birds Seagulls -- Concerns

1. Benefits:

   Seagulls are predators by nature. They are very essential in maintaining ecological balance.

2. Liabilities:

   Seagulls are a serious problem with boaters, near ports, harbors and other buildings near the sea. They have been responsible for several maritime accidents.

3. Health Issues:

   Seagulls are big carriers of bird flu.

4. Specific Care Needs:

   Seagulls need not be cared for by humans. Nature has enabled them to live within their resources.

5. Special Household Needs:

   Seagulls are not household pets, therefore, there is no question of household needs.

Birds Seagulls -- How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   If there is a seagull infiltration in a particular area, there must be a serious examination to check for conditions like bird flu. The bird droppings can be used by a vet to make this study.

2. Supplies:

   Seagulls don't need anything from humans. They will find their own supplies in the habitats wherein they live.

3. Expense:

   Seagulls are not pet birds; hence they are not sold in the markets.