Dartmouth: seagulls killing and eating pigeons

[longjohnsilver]

Heard about this from a couple of berth holders, they saw 2 seagulls swoop on a pigeon and then kill it and rip it apart and then eat it. Thought maybe it was a one off, but yesterday I saw the same thing happening, seagull attacking a pigeon in the boatyard. The pigeon was badly hurt and unable to fly, what happened after that I didn't see, but probably the same as above.

Is this just a Dart phenomenon or does it happen elsewhere? And to think that seagulls are a protected species!

 

[Leighb]

One type of vermin destroying another, not entirely bad!

 

[macd]

If the definition of vermin were a species that does harm to other species (which isn't, but close), then we'd be top of the pile by a very long way. And we're pretty much alone in doing it gratuitously.

 

[Seajet]

Some here may scoff, but we'd have taken the pigeon to a vet; they should fix it for free.

In fact we did help one which was newly hatched and wandering around the garden in a bit of a state; the vet seemed to care for creatures as much as we do, gave her a check up and anti-parasite dose; would have been for free but we insisted on £10 towards his guide dog fund.

In the past we've helped Swans in the same way - couldn't leave a bird or animal suffering.

 

[han34]

Seagulls will attack injured birds. I have seen them attack crows that were unable to fly. They seem to sense that another bird is injured or unwell and gang up.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Seagulls will attack injured birds. I have seen them attack crows that were unable to fly. They seem to sense that another bird is injured or unwell and gang up.

Piranha quickly dispatch any of their kind with even minor injuries. Are we alone in caring for the sick, disabled, and frail of our species?

 

[macd]

Are we alone in caring for the sick, disabled, and frail of our species?

Nope. Elephants are quite large at it. No doubt other species, too.

 

[Skylark]

We saw the same thing in Douglas, IoM, a couple of years ago. Quite grotesque but that's nature, I guess.

 

[Pinnacle]

I have witnessed a seagull kill a pigeon on Oxford Street W1.

 

[steveeasy]

Seagulls will attack injured birds. I have seen them attack crows that were unable to fly. They seem to sense that another bird is injured or unwell and gang up.

Piranha quickly dispatch any of their kind with even minor injuries. Are we alone in caring for the sick, disabled, and frail of our species?

I have witnessed a seagull kill a pigeon on Oxford Street W1.

Awful to watch an animal attack or hunt another, but part of life. Far more grotesque is watching a human hunt for fun. The recent shooting of the elephant in Africa, following on from the killing of the lion highlight the pitiful depths some humans go too for self gratification. no different than any other species, other than they should, by now know better. It seams nothing can be done to stop this. There simply is no hope.

Steveeasy

 

[VicMallows]

Presumably I'm in with the wicked because the mouse traps in my garage (where I store plenty of food) catch several mice a night at this time of year.

 

[30boat]

Seaguls are birds of prey.They do what's natural to them.The problem is that there to many of them.

 

[KAL]

Heard about this from a couple of berth holders, they saw 2 seagulls swoop on a pigeon and then kill it and rip it apart and then eat it. Thought maybe it was a one off, but yesterday I saw the same thing happening, seagull attacking a pigeon in the boatyard. The pigeon was badly hurt and unable to fly, what happened after that I didn't see, but probably the same as above.

Is this just a Dart phenomenon or does it happen elsewhere? And to think that seagulls are a protected species!

Endearing things, aren't they?

 

[NUTMEG]

Endearing things, aren't they?

I am probably in a minority here (nothing new) but I like all gulls. We have lots of black headed and lesser black backs here as well as a fair few other birds, waders and the like.

I love their calls in the early morning, sort of reminds me I am not at work and 'down the boat', all nautical and so on. I love watching them poking around the boat at low water looking for crustaceans and worms and I love to watch them flying about, true masters at it.

Sure, they crap on my boat as the do everyone's, but they were here long before my boat was and I consider it a minor inconvenience in return for the pleasure they give me.

Don't like gulls? Get another hobby!

 

[30boat]

Don't like gulls? Get another hobby!

Or an air gun...

 

[LadyInBed]

Pigeons now, how long till they start on us!!! :blue:

 

[Concerto]

Can anyone train the seagulls to catch the starlings that have been carping on my deck last week?

Seagulls in Chatham Marina have learnt to drop mussels from a height on the toilet block roof to make them easier to crack the shells. My neighbour was none to happy when they started using his mobo deck as well!

 

[l'escargot]

I am probably in a minority here (nothing new) but I like all gulls. We have lots of black headed and lesser black backs here as well as a fair few other birds, waders and the like.

I love their calls in the early morning, sort of reminds me I am not at work and 'down the boat', all nautical and so on. I love watching them poking around the boat at low water looking for crustaceans and worms and I love to watch them flying about, true masters at it.

Sure, they crap on my boat as the do everyone's, but they were here long before my boat was and I consider it a minor inconvenience in return for the pleasure they give me.

Don't like gulls? Get another hobby!

I'm with you, fascinating birds.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Pigeons now, how long till they start on us!!! :blue:

Him well not sure about us, but they, seagulls attack and then devour any food available that humans are not care full about handling, hot dogs, ice creams, sandwiches,floss etc. Taken from adults and children alike

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I am probably in a minority here (nothing new) but I like all gulls. We have lots of black headed and lesser black backs here as well as a fair few other birds, waders and the like.

I love their calls in the early morning, sort of reminds me I am not at work and 'down the boat', all nautical and so on. I love watching them poking around the boat at low water looking for crustaceans and worms and I love to watch them flying about, true masters at it.

Sure, they crap on my boat as the do everyone's, but they were here long before my boat was and I consider it a minor inconvenience in return for the pleasure they give me.

Don't like gulls? Get another hobby!

I like them too. The complete flying machine that also floats and can
eat almost anything. Also super gliders.

I thought I read somewhere that their numbers are falling ?

Could it be that landfill is switching to incinerators ?

Magic watching the sunset on your boat and the seagulls are all mates
again flying together to roost for the night.