The seagull has always been a symbol of freedom—its wings stretched wide over the horizon, its cry echoing across the sea. But on the shores of Western Canada, I witnessed a moment that told another story.
A gull picked up a rotten piece of wood, struck it again and again, as if trying to force nourishment out of it. It was not food. It could never be food. Yet hunger and stress had blurred the line between survival and despair.
That sight was more than a strange behavior. It was a warning.
Why Seagulls Are Struggling
Seagulls are among the most adaptable of birds. They eat fish, shellfish, insects, even human scraps. But in recent decades, their natural diet has shrunk:
- Overfishing has depleted coastal waters.
- Pollution and plastics clog the shorelines.
- Urbanization pushes them into parking lots and dumpsters.
A gull pecking at rotten wood is not a quirk—it is a cry for food in an environment that no longer provides.
Signs of Stress in Seagulls
Biologists note that stressed or starving gulls may:
- Peck obsessively at inedible objects.
- Attack trash or plastic as if it were prey.
- Congregate in human areas, scavenging for junk food.
These behaviors reduce their health and survival. Studies in British Columbia have shown gulls on a “junk food diet” produce fewer eggs and weaker chicks.
Why Saving Seagulls Matters
Some might shrug—they’re just gulls. But seagulls are indicators of ocean health. If even the most resourceful seabird is struggling, it signals deeper problems in the marine ecosystem. Protecting them is part of protecting the ocean itself.
What We Can Do
Saving seagulls doesn’t mean hand-feeding them fries. It means fixing the systems around them. Here’s how:
- Keep coastlines clean: reduce litter, join or organize beach cleanups.
- Cut plastic waste: avoid single-use plastics that often end up in their stomachs.
- Support sustainable fishing: ensure fish stocks remain for both people and wildlife.
- Respect wildlife: don’t feed gulls junk food, which harms their health and encourages dependency.
- Protect habitats: wetlands, estuaries, and intertidal zones are vital feeding grounds.
A Shared Horizon
When we save seagulls, we save more than a bird. We save a piece of freedom, a piece of the sea, a piece of ourselves.
The next time you hear their cry overhead, remember: it is not just a sound of the shore. It is a call for us to care.
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