Wow, Sorry About That (i.e. California Gull)

Oh my, its been a while since I last updated. I would like to let you all know how sorry I am, and assure you that I will try to be more consistent. Its just been a crazy couple of weeks.

Well, for those of you who haven't given up on me yet, I have a new post for you guys (yaaaaay!). As promised here is more than you want to know about the California Gull.

Like most common animals, gulls are considered pests. This is not without reason, as the California gull is known to eat just about anything, including fish, small mammals, trash, crumbs, and even food out of people's hands (as I know from personal experience). This has made the California gull one of the most successful birds on the west coast, as they can survive even in the largest of cities and in thrive in dumps. In fact, the California gull is so versatile in its food and habitats, that they are even common around alkaline lakes, such as mono lake, despite the fact that no fish live there.

Gulls that live around such lakes mainly feed on brine shrimp and, believe it or not, alkaline flies. As one might imagine, gulls are poorly equipped to capture tiny insects such as flies, but the gulls are actually able to capture them by running along the shoreline with its mouth wide open and snapping at the clouds of insects.

But the California gull is not a pest to everyone. In fact, gulls often help agriculturalists and farmers by eating small rodents and insects that might otherwise destroy crops. The gulls have even been known to follow behind plows in a field, picking up whatever the plow might turn over.

But not everything that a gull picks up is food. California gulls are known to line their nests with various odds and ends, known as "juju", which can be anything from trash or hair, to small bits of plastic and toys that they pick up. Who knew they could be so artsy?!

On top of it all, California gulls are equal opportunity parents. Both males and females help to construct a nest on the ground, and once the female lays the eggs, parents each take 3-4 hour shifts sitting on the nest while the other parent goes out to hunt. Though they are only with a mate for a single season, they are faithful throughout it, despite the fact that will nest with up to 40,000 other gulls.

And what about when they are not nesting, eating? Well... not much. They spend about 20-30% if their day sleeping. I guess the life of a pest can be rather exhausting.

Sources: http://www.monolake.org/images/bomgull.pdf

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Larus_californicus.html

http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/california_gull

http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/california_gull