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Eye See You: New Trick to Stop Seagull Chip Theft
28 Jul
Summary
- Painted eyes on boxes reduce seagull food theft by up to 50%.
- Gulls were slower to approach and pecked boxes with eye markings.
- Effectiveness varied by gull species and individual birds.
New research indicates that a simple visual deterrent may significantly reduce seagull food theft. According to a study published in Ecology and Evolution, painting eye-like markings on takeaway food boxes can deter seagulls from approaching and stealing food.
Researchers observed that herring gulls were notably slower to approach and pecked less frequently at boxes featuring eye designs compared to plain ones. This innovative approach successfully reduced food thefts by as much as 50%.
The study highlighted that the effectiveness of this method is not universal. Responses to the eye markings were found to be highly individual, meaning not all gull species may react similarly, and a portion of herring gulls remained unaffected.
This eye-marking strategy builds on previous findings that demonstrated its success in other contexts. Similar techniques have been employed to protect cattle from predators, prevent birds at airports, and deter seabirds from fishing nets. Additionally, prior research from the University of Exeter suggested that shouting at seagulls or maintaining direct eye contact could also help ward them off.
