Beachgoers may be tempted to shout at seagulls whenever they swoop in for a snack, but it turns out this primal reaction might just be the right move. Researchers from the University of Exeter have found that simply shouting at these birds can effectively scare them away from your lunch.
In a study published today, the researchers tested three different approaches to deterting gulls: playing a recording of a male voice yelling "No, stay away, that's my food!", playing the same voice speaking those exact words, or playing the song of a robin. They tested these methods with 61 gulls from nine seaside towns and found that nearly half of the birds flew away within just one minute after hearing the shouting voice.
In contrast, only about 15% of the gulls who heard the speaking voice took off, while a whopping 70% remained near their food for the duration of the experiment. The researchers also found that urban gulls were more vigilant and less likely to peck at the food container when they heard the yelling voice.
What's interesting is that the volume of the male voice didn't affect the response – it was the actual tone and pitch that seemed to make a difference. This suggests that gulls are highly attuned to human voices, particularly those that convey a sense of authority or urgency.
The researchers' goal was not to arm beachgoers with a new technique for defending their food, but rather to show that there are peaceful ways to deter seagulls without resorting to physical violence. Unfortunately, many people have already developed a deep-seated fear of these birds, which can lead to aggressive behavior – something the researchers explicitly want to avoid.
So, go ahead and let your inner "bird whisperer" shine – just be sure to save the yelling for when you really need it. After all, as any parent will tell you, sometimes words alone just aren't enough.
In a study published today, the researchers tested three different approaches to deterting gulls: playing a recording of a male voice yelling "No, stay away, that's my food!", playing the same voice speaking those exact words, or playing the song of a robin. They tested these methods with 61 gulls from nine seaside towns and found that nearly half of the birds flew away within just one minute after hearing the shouting voice.
In contrast, only about 15% of the gulls who heard the speaking voice took off, while a whopping 70% remained near their food for the duration of the experiment. The researchers also found that urban gulls were more vigilant and less likely to peck at the food container when they heard the yelling voice.
What's interesting is that the volume of the male voice didn't affect the response – it was the actual tone and pitch that seemed to make a difference. This suggests that gulls are highly attuned to human voices, particularly those that convey a sense of authority or urgency.
The researchers' goal was not to arm beachgoers with a new technique for defending their food, but rather to show that there are peaceful ways to deter seagulls without resorting to physical violence. Unfortunately, many people have already developed a deep-seated fear of these birds, which can lead to aggressive behavior – something the researchers explicitly want to avoid.
So, go ahead and let your inner "bird whisperer" shine – just be sure to save the yelling for when you really need it. After all, as any parent will tell you, sometimes words alone just aren't enough.
I'm not surprised that shouting at seagulls works, but it's still kinda cool that researchers found a way to study this without actually scaring them away. The fact that the volume didn't matter and it was more about the tone that made a difference is pretty interesting 
. And yeah, it's great that they're trying to show people there are peaceful ways to deal with these birds. I mean, who needs aggression when you can just give 'em space? 
I gotta try this out at my next beach trip! I've had those pesky gulls ruin my snacks before and now I know that just yelling at them works? 
Mind blown! But seriously, it's crazy how much of a difference the tone and pitch made. Like, who knew our voices could be so intimidating to birds?! 
I mean, who knew that scaring away seagulls with a loud voice could be so effective? 
I've definitely got some yelling in my arsenal now for when those pesky gulls come swooping in! 
. One of them started yelling "Shoo!" and guess what? The bird took off like it owed us money 
Those urban gulls are like the ultimate opportunists - they'll swoop in for anything. I love how the researchers found out it's not just about the volume, but the tone and pitch too... sounds like those birds have some good listening skills 
Just yell at those gulls, they're like little thieves