Particle: Seagulls Raised on Urban Diets Still Prefer Fish

6 articles | last updated: Jul 11 16:54:00

Study finds herring gull chicks consistently choose seafood over human-made foods, highlighting innate dietary preferences.

Researchers from the University of Exeter studied herring gull chicks rescued in Cornwall, UK.
Despite being raised on bread and cat food, the chicks preferred fish when given a choice.
The study suggests gulls may not seek out urban foods as adults, even if raised on them.
Herring gulls face conservation concerns due to declining fish stocks and urban food availability.
More research is needed to understand how early diet influences long-term health and behavior.