Seagull research revealed surprise finding

February 26, 2020 - Scientists published research findings which gave an insight into why seagulls are drawn to stealing holidaymakers’ chips: they actively prefer food that has been handled by humans.

Researchers from Exeter University’s Penryn campus in Cornwall presented herring gulls in several Cornish towns with two identical flapjacks, one of which the gulls had seen in a person’s hand.

Of the 38 gulls that were tested, 24 pecked at one of the flapjacks and 19 of these — nearly 80 per cent — chose the one that had been handled.

The birds are kleptoparasites, which means they pilfer food from other animals. The strategy has allowed them to adapt to new environments, including seaside tourist hotspots.