Omnivorous Diet: Seagulls have an omnivorous diet and will consume a wide range of food, from fish, insects, and marine invertebrates to scavenged food and human leftovers. Their diverse diet means they are often attracted to areas where humans are present, such as beaches, parks, and landfills.
Opportunistic Behavior: Seagulls are skilled at spotting and capitalizing on opportunities to find food. They are remarkably persistent in obtaining their food, and some individuals have learned to exploit human behavior, such as expecting snacks from people. This persistence can sometimes border on aggression when they aggressively attempt to get your food.
Competition for Food: Seagulls often find themselves competing for limited food resources with other birds, such as pigeons, and even other seagulls. This competition can lead to aggressive behaviors, such as stealing food or jostling for position near sources of food, further contributing to their reputation for annoyance.
Urban Environments: Seagulls have adapted well to living in urban environments, which puts them into frequent contact with humans. Their presence near human settlements can increase conflict because of their scavenging behavior, noise, and occasional interactions with human property, such as stealing shiny objects or defecating on buildings or cars.
It's important to note that while some individual seagulls might display annoying behaviors, not all seagulls are alike, and their overall behavior is driven by their natural survival instincts and adaptation to diverse habitats.