Seagulls are among the most adaptable and widespread birds in the world, found on every continent, including Antarctica. Often seen soaring over coastlines or scavenging at urban beaches, seagulls are highly intelligent birds with complex social structures. They can recognize individual humans and even use tools, such as dropping shellfish onto rocks to crack them open.
Seagulls are opportunistic feeders, eating everything from fish and insects to discarded human food. Their versatility allows them to thrive in diverse environments, but it also makes them a nuisance in some urban areas. Despite this, seagulls play an important ecological role by controlling pest populations and cleaning up organic waste.
While they are common in many places, seagulls face threats from habitat loss and pollution. Plastic waste is a particularly significant danger, as it can be mistaken for food and ingested, leading to fatal consequences.