This is beach war! Image via AG-Pics/ Pixabay.
If you live by the coast and are tired of seagulls stealing your food with the same confidence as your cousin raiding your fridge, this discovery is for you. A team of researchers from the University of Exeter has found — after a seaside tour of nine Cornish towns in England — that shouting at thieving seagulls works surprisingly well. Yes, you read that right: science is officially giving you permission to vent.
The research team published its study in the peer-reviewed journal Biology Letters on November 12, 2025.
Beach battles: Shout first, eat later
The experiment was simple but clever. Scientists placed a closed Tupperware filled with fries — because even science needs snacks — and waited for a curious gull to appear. As soon as the bird approached, the researchers played one of three options. The first was a man shouting “No, stay away, that’s my food!” The second was the same phrase spoken in a normal voice. And third was the relaxed song of a robin, the least intimidating soundtrack in the animal kingdom.
The results were clear. Nearly half the gulls flew away when they heard the shouting, while the normal voice only made them walk away, like someone backing off from a nosy neighbor. In contrast, 70% of the gulls stayed by the Tupperware when they heard the robin song, probably thinking: “Ah, ambient music, perfect.”
Thieving seagulls are listening, choose your words wisely
The scientists adjusted all recordings to the same volume, so the gulls weren’t reacting to loudness but to how the words were said. This suggests they can detect nuances in human voices, something previously observed almost exclusively in domesticated animals accustomed to recognizing human speech. That a gull can read your passive-aggressive vibes before most people gives you something to think about.
The goal of the study was to show that you don’t need violence to convince these birds, who are just looking for food, much like us when we’re hungry. The final takeaway is simple: if a seagull is eyeing your lunch, talking to it might make it think twice. But if you want immediate results, a good shout works best. Scientifically approved and emotionally liberating. Let’s be honest: holding onto your lunch is a small but satisfying victory.
Snack attack: Seagulls on a foodie mission
Bottom line: Thieving seagulls judge your every word. Shout loud, save your fries and savor the sweet victory of a lunch defended. This is beach war!
Source: Herring gulls respond to the acoustic properties of men’s voices
Read more: Australian lyrebirds sing unusual bird songs
Read more: Crows – extremely smart birds – are our lifeform of the week
The post Thieving seagulls and the human snack wars: Shouting works first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/cg8y4Sq
This is beach war! Image via AG-Pics/ Pixabay.
If you live by the coast and are tired of seagulls stealing your food with the same confidence as your cousin raiding your fridge, this discovery is for you. A team of researchers from the University of Exeter has found — after a seaside tour of nine Cornish towns in England — that shouting at thieving seagulls works surprisingly well. Yes, you read that right: science is officially giving you permission to vent.
The research team published its study in the peer-reviewed journal Biology Letters on November 12, 2025.
Beach battles: Shout first, eat later
The experiment was simple but clever. Scientists placed a closed Tupperware filled with fries — because even science needs snacks — and waited for a curious gull to appear. As soon as the bird approached, the researchers played one of three options. The first was a man shouting “No, stay away, that’s my food!” The second was the same phrase spoken in a normal voice. And third was the relaxed song of a robin, the least intimidating soundtrack in the animal kingdom.
The results were clear. Nearly half the gulls flew away when they heard the shouting, while the normal voice only made them walk away, like someone backing off from a nosy neighbor. In contrast, 70% of the gulls stayed by the Tupperware when they heard the robin song, probably thinking: “Ah, ambient music, perfect.”
Thieving seagulls are listening, choose your words wisely
The scientists adjusted all recordings to the same volume, so the gulls weren’t reacting to loudness but to how the words were said. This suggests they can detect nuances in human voices, something previously observed almost exclusively in domesticated animals accustomed to recognizing human speech. That a gull can read your passive-aggressive vibes before most people gives you something to think about.
The goal of the study was to show that you don’t need violence to convince these birds, who are just looking for food, much like us when we’re hungry. The final takeaway is simple: if a seagull is eyeing your lunch, talking to it might make it think twice. But if you want immediate results, a good shout works best. Scientifically approved and emotionally liberating. Let’s be honest: holding onto your lunch is a small but satisfying victory.
Snack attack: Seagulls on a foodie mission
Bottom line: Thieving seagulls judge your every word. Shout loud, save your fries and savor the sweet victory of a lunch defended. This is beach war!
Source: Herring gulls respond to the acoustic properties of men’s voices
Read more: Australian lyrebirds sing unusual bird songs
Read more: Crows – extremely smart birds – are our lifeform of the week
The post Thieving seagulls and the human snack wars: Shouting works first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/cg8y4Sq
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire