06/18/2025
A friendly PSA about seagulls
It's the time of year where you may begin to see young seagull chicks wondering about exploring their surroundings. Unfortunately this often leads to many falling off rooftops to the ground below and into serious trouble.
So what do you do if you find a baby seagull??🤷♀️🤔
First things first do not feed!!! Mom and Dad are normally close by and will continue to feed daily until they are 5 to 6 weeks old.
If the chick is still very fluffy, small and uncoordinated then it is best to try and place the chick back up on the roof near the nest if it is safe to do so.
It is very important to WEAR GLOVES!
Gulls can harbor some nasty parasites and bacteria and are one of the main vectors of the HPAI virus (avian influenza) so wearing gloves and washing hands is vital.
If placing the chick back on the roof nest is not an option, placing them on a raised ledge, fence or lower roof will get them out of harms way so the parents can then take over.
If the chick is fully fledged (has fluff but beginning to grow out feathers) and is scurrying about, it's best to leave it alone as the parents will still be nearby to feed and fiercely protect.
Sometimes these fledgelings can panic and scurry themselves into dangerous areas like traffic or lots of human activity.
If it is safe for you to do so, the best option is to try and herd the gull by extending arms and directing it to an area where it can take cover and is sheltered away from nearby dangers. Areas with little to no activity like empty park lots, parks or along edges of abandoned buildings.
If you come accross an injured gull, sometimes there is very little one can do and unfortunately is a part of cohabiting with urban wildlife. However a suffering animal is something not many can easily turn a blind eye to nor should they!
That being said the first option is to notify a wildlife rehabber.
Wildlife rehabbers have the skills, knowledge and outreach to either provide aid, send to a proper facility or address suffering by bringing to a veterinary clinic to be humanely euthinized.
If a wildlife rehabber is unwilling to assist, you can try to safely capture the injured gull and transport it to animal services where it will likely be humanely euthinized.
Please only attempt to capture injured gulls if it is safe and you are willing to do so. Ensure that you wear thick gloves and have a large blanket or towel to drape over the body. Keep both hands securely around body and make sure wings are both firmly tucked as a panicing gull will try to flap and wiggle its way out from your grasp. Make sure to keep gull away from your face as they they do bite. HARD. and can easily twist their head to bite up at an unsuspecting face. Transport the injured gull in a dark kennel or crate ensuring that there is adequate airflow but is dark enough to keep the gull calm as it will be very stressed.
Seagulls play a very important part in our environment. They are extremely smart, devoted parents that mate for life and aid in keeping other pest species in check. These birds deserve our respect and a little care and understanding can help us cohabitate peacefully.
Send us a message and inquire about how Skyline Falconry can help humanely and effectively manage gulls on your property.
