If you’ve ever sat on or near a South African beach trying to guard your chips from a bold seagull, you’re not alone. These birds have mastered the art of swooping in for snacks, often before you even realise they are targeting you.
But new research suggests there’s a surprisingly simple, science-backed way to keep seagulls away from your food, and it has nothing to do with hiding your lunch under a towel.
Here’s what scientists discovered.
Stopping seagulls from stealing your food and why they steal food in the first place
Seagulls, or gulls, have adapted brilliantly to human environments, much like the bold baboons that famously break into cars to steal food along the Cape Peninsula if visible.
On popular beaches, picnic spots and around bins, they’ve learned that people leave open food or crumbs, an easy, free meal. Research shows gulls even prefer food handled by humans, and seagulls on South African beaches seem no different.
The study: What sounds make gulls back off from food?
A study from the University of Exeter tested how 61 gulls across nine seaside towns would respond to different sounds when approaching food. The researchers played three audio recordings at the same volume while monitoring gull behaviour:
- A male shouting voice: “No, stay away, that’s my food!”
- A calm speaking voice
- A robin’s birdsong
The results showed that nearly half of the gulls flew away when the shouting sound played. Only 15% retreated during the calm voice, and with the birdsong, about 70% remained in place.
“Urban gulls were more vigilant and pecked less at the food container when we played them a male voice, whether it was speaking or shouting,” said Dr Neeltje Boogert of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
“So when trying to scare off a gull that’s trying to steal your food, talking might stop them in their tracks, but shouting is more effective at making them fly away.”
Will this trick work on South African gulls?
The study focused on UK herring gulls; the findings could apply to South African species like kelp gulls. These birds also scavenge along our coastline and display similar aggressive food-stealing behaviours. A firm, urgent shout may work just as well here to discourage them from swooping in.
Science‑Backed Tips to Stop Seagulls Stealing Your Food
If you find yourself sized up by a determined gull with a taste for your chips, here’s what actually works:
1. Use a firm, urgent shout
It doesn’t need to be aggressive or extremely loud. A sharp, urgent shout should often be enough to communicate threat, to prevent the gulls from stealing your food. Tone is key.
2. Maintain eye contact
Studies suggest that gulls dislike it if you stare at them. If you lock eyes and hold your ground, they may think twice.
3. Keep food covered
Covering food reduces the visual cues gulls rely on.
4. Don’t feed gulls
Feeding teaches birds to associate humans with easy meals. Once a gull becomes used to handouts, stealing becomes natural.
5. Clean up properly
Bins, scraps and leftovers increase bold behaviour from gulls along the coast.
While the above might not stop gulls from taking a chance, we might not have to resort to extreme measures to stop gulls from stealing our food. A firm, urgent vocal cue is often enough to send them packing.
