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Blk Bk Gulls, predators



On more then one occassion I've seen these large gulls eating waterfowl, 
where presumably the prey was fresh and not carrion.  Three occassions come
to mind vividly.  All were in the winter, two on a nearly frozen pond (90+%
covered) the other on a salt marsh.  One was a Mallard, one a Coot, the last
a Black Duck.

The first 2 (on separate days at the same pond) were on the ice of the
frozen pond and were still steaming when I arrived.   I am only assuming
that the gull killed the birds, don't know for sure.  The third was a kill
in progress when I arrived.  I took a series of photos of the event.  I have
know way of knowing if the duck, or ducks, were weak to begin with due to
the cold weather, illness... that the gull merely took advantage of that
fact.  However, the assault on the black duck did not appear to be a passing
thought.  It appeared as though it was deliberate, and it was relentless.
In fact the gull began to eat while the duck was still struggling to escape.
I don't know if the duck was unable to fly before that attack began because
I arrived while it was in progress.  The duck seemed unable to fly farther
than a few yards by that time I arrived on the scene.

 Has anyone else witnessed Great Black-backed Gulls preying on other birds.

--
Greg Dodge
Durham, NC
http://www.brownbagproductions.com