New Study: Solitary Seagulls Are Less Likely to Steal Your Food

Seagulls and Your Chips: New Study Reveals the Secret to Avoiding Bird-Related Food Theft Australia - A recent study from Ghent University in Belgium has brought some welcome news to those plagued by food-stealing seagulls. Researchers found that these feathered fiends are significantly less likely to make a dive for your dinner if they are alone. The Sunrise morning show highlighted the study with amusing footage of seagulls in various settings, from crowded beaches to bustling restaurant patios. "Some good news for those plagued by hoards of seagulls at the beach," announced a Sunrise presenter, "Researchers have found seagulls are far less likely to make a dive for your dinner if they're alone. You only need to worry when they gather in groups." The study suggests that the confidence of seagulls in stealing food is directly linked to the size of their group. When alone, they are less likely to risk confrontation, but the 'strength in numbers' dynamic emboldens them in flocks. The video showed examples of solitary seagulls cautiously observing food, while groups of seagulls aggressively targeted unattended meals. The study also touches on previous research that suggests seagulls are less likely to steal if given a hard stare. However, the presenters jokingly pointed out the difficulty of finding a lone seagull to test this theory. This research offers a practical solution to a common problem, suggesting that eating alone at the beach or keeping a watchful eye on your food when surrounded by groups of seagulls may help protect your picnic or restaurant meal from these persistent avian thieves.