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Question:

September 28, 2021

Baby seagull


Thanks for answering my question the other day. I have one more that I hope you might know about.

This summer, I was looking after a baby seagull in my garden. I found him/her wandering in the traffic, partially feathered, so I picked it up and took it home.

I fed the gull and kept it safe while it finished growing its wings and learned to fly.

He/she now flies around and seems to be hanging out with the other gulls in the area and going off on its own for hours at a time.

However, in the evening, the gull still comes to my garden and squeaks and cheeps at me very loudly and persistently for food. So, I still give it cat food, fish, chicken bones and various kitchen scraps.

Do you know how long he/she will do this, before he/she goes off with her flockmates? Or do I have a friend for life now?

I have no intention of trying to keep the seagull as a pet, or tame it, or anything like that. Just want to make sure it’s okay.

Thanks for your help.


Answer:

Hi Phil,

I have forwarded your information to our wildlife person, Dani, and she will be contacting you to help. My guess is that since they are prone to begging anyway, he doesn’t want to give up his free meals. But I’m not sure how long parent seagulls supplement their chicks – I have seen many adults feeding grown juvenile seagulls. Most States do have a network of wildlife rehabilitators, but I know many have limited service due to covid and some states are sorely lacking in help for wildlife. I’m glad you were able to save the little guy and I’m sure Dani can help you help him become independent.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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