Talk:European herring gull/Archive 1

Comments
I removed Montreal ref, Herring Gulls are common at inland sites in many places throughout the N.hemisphere jimfbleak 07:24, 19 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I guessed the "spikes designed to prevent gulls from landing" didn't work :) Rbarreira 17:22, 16 July 2005 (UTC)


 * A study in the UK showed only suspended fine wire netting worked- v expensive. jimfbleak 05:20, 17 July 2005 (UTC)

I'd be interested to see something more added to this article about urban gulls. Do others think that this is appropriate? Certainly in the UK herring gulls are becoming a major problem in a number of cities. Legislation to protect them in their 'natural' habitat means that they cannot be removed from rooftops, with consequent problems of noise, litter and even attacks on humans by gulls. The comment at the top of this page suggests that this is not just a problem in the UK either....anyone any idea how widespread it is? Mazzy 13:38, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes, I did see some in Australia when I was there (a bit of a shock :)) Ele v enz e roo n nechat / what i've done / email me 20:25, 28 November 2006 (UTC)

I would like to see more in this article about the ring distribution and how there's a continuous line of interbreeding that connects them to Lesser Black Backed Gulls. As it stands, the phrase "Herring Gull / Lesser Black-backed Gull complex" is just thrown in with no previous explanation. Evercat 22:52, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

The red stripe and juveniles
Can anyone add some references about a 1950's study about how the herring gull chicks "knock" on their parents beak? I saw a TV show where it was shown that the red stripe was hard-wired into the birds to be peck at it, to receive food. The researchers used tongue depressor sticks with a red band. They also used sticks with several red bands, and got an even more excited response. I can't remember what organization conducted the study.

The British television show was referencing this study to show what the brain thought was considered "art". Really cool. StevePrutz (talk) 00:11, 19 March 2008 (UTC)


 * I just read that it was a Niko Tinbergen study ... StevePrutz (talk) 00:24, 19 March 2008 (UTC)

Shellfish opening
I live near a beach and have often seen Herring Gulls picking up molluscs and then taking off and climbing to a fair height before dropping them on the beach to break them open. I don't know if this is widespread or not. I have some, albeit small, pictures of them doing it somewhere. Ian Dunster (talk) 07:25, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

Rating template
FWIW, I rated as a B, most of the information is there to make it reasonalby comprehensive, though needs some work on style and layout. Casliber (talk · contribs) 05:19, 26 June 2009 (UTC)

Predators of the Herring Gull - 28-07-09 removals...
An IP user removed the line stating that (removed section bolded):

"Breeding colonies are predated by great black-backed gulls, harriers, corvids, herons, raccoons, minks, dogs, large owls and red foxes (the latter three regularly prey on the nesting adults)".

As the original text was unreferenced anyway, I'm bringing it here for further discussion. Is the removed statement, in fact untrue? Based on my own knowledge of the nature of HGs, I'm inclined to agree with the removal of the 'nesting adults' bit - I just can't see dogs, owls and red foxes being *regular* predators of adult birds (chicks, certainly - adults, no) - HGs seem too watchful, quick-witted, nimble and aggressive to make easy meals for these predators, unless they're sick or injured. I'd even go as far as to say that trying to take a nesting adult gull would be an *insane* move, considering that the predator would immediately be set upon by tens of angry, squawking, sharp-billed, dive-bombing defenders as soon as it was spotted. On the other hand, as for mink taking chicks - yes, I can definitely see that happening. So, yeah, anyway - your thoughts would be much appreciated here. Even better, if we could locate a good reference for the predation info... Thanks very much. --Kurt Shaped Box (talk) 05:48, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Name
They got the name Herring gull because they used to follow the (then large) UK herring fishing fleets of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the birds congregating around the boats as they pulled in their nets and feeding on the various refuse and offal thrown over the sides. Because they were seen so often around herring boats they were assumed to feed off herrings in preference to anything else.

Herring gulls are actually rather likeable, even endearing birds, once you get to know them (and them you) and make allowances for the noise and their squabbling. One particular young (juvenile) bird has taken great pleasure in undoing my shoelace on at least two occasions. I wouldn't call them 'aggressive' although they are bold in taking any seemingly-unattached food, especially if they have chicks to feed. I don't know what the situation's like in urban areas but I live in a small seaside town in the UK so the gulls are 'locals' like anyone else, and anyone having a problem with them should either get used to them or move somewhere away from the coast. Generally, the people who moan and complain about them have moved here from places inland, a situation somewhat akin to going to Africa and complaining about the monkeys. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.40.253.10 (talk) 16:28, 30 October 2009 (UTC)