Gulls are as smart as parrots when they are foraging for food, study suggests
Gulls could be as smart as parrots when it comes to getting a hold of food
The birds are renowned for snatching chips from unwary visitors to the seaside
They analysed wild ring-billed gulls to see if they could 'work out' a simple test
By Xantha Leatham For The Daily Mail
Published: 19:01 EST, 30 November 2021 | Updated: 19:14 EST, 30 November 2021
Gulls could be as smart as parrots when it comes to getting a hold of food, a study has found.
Renowned for snatching chips from unwary visitors to the seaside, the birds possess the skills to solve problems in order to earn a treat, according to researchers at the University of Newfoundland in Canada.
They analysed wild ring-billed gulls, pictured – which can sometimes be found in Britain – to see if they could 'work out' that pulling on a string would draw a small piece of sausage out of a clear box.
A quarter solved the test within three attempts, while one in five got it the first time.
Picture: A seagull amid ducks in water. Gulls could be as smart as parrots when it comes to getting a hold of food, a study has found
Herring gull is rescued after getting trapped in the grille... Bird strike! SEAGULL smacks into screaming teenager's face...
Man 'beats seagull to death with a child's spade in front of...
Most species to complete the task are perching birds or parrots, which are renowned for their intelligence
Jessika Lamarre, author of the report published in the Royal Society journal, said it's the first example of a waterbird solving the string-pull test.
Most species to complete the task are perching birds or parrots, which are renowned for their intelligence.
Ms Lamarre said: 'String-pulling is among the most widespread cognitive tasks used to test problem-solving skills in mammals and birds.
'The task requires animals to comprehend that pulling on a non-valuable string moves an otherwise inaccessible food reward to within their reach.
'Ring-billed gulls are thus the first waterbirds shown to be capable of solving a horizontal configuration of the string-pull test using a single-baited string.
'This finding indicates that gulls, and possibly other waterbirds, are well-suited to engage in cognitive tasks and are thus candidates for more advanced puzzles.'
Cognition has seldom been studied in gulls and other waterbirds, despite at least 17 species being known to use bait to attract prey and use tools to preen themselves.
The ring-billed gull is primarily found in Canada and North America but was first recorded in Britain in the 1970s.
Only a few dozen individuals are spotted each year, and are drastically outnumbered by the likes of the Common gull and Herring gull.
Everything's coming up roses! Silver fox Pierce Brosnan is seen picking up bouquets of flowers in Malibu days before the release of his new film
Christie Brinkley's daughter Sailor Brinkley-Cook shows off her incredible 25in waistline in a strapless white swimsuit while in the Caribbean
Addison Rae shares flashback photos from the Turks & Caicos as she names Angelina Jolie's 'sexy goth' look from the Nineties as her style inspiration
Barack Obama pays tribute to 'his love, his best friend, his partner' Michelle on her 58th birthday - as he shares a romantic sunset snap of the couple from their Hawaiian vacation
Megan Fox shares intimate video of her rose petal-infused bath with fiance Machine Gun Kelly... less than a week after his romantic proposal
Keeping it in the family! Queen Letizia of Spain recycled Valentino outfit worn by mother-in-law Queen Sofia in 1977 as she and King Felipe VI host diplomatic reception
'Princess Anne doesn't get full-time security and her protection officer was shot!': Prince Harry told police are NOT for hire as ex-royal cop warns he 'can't pick and choose'
Mike Tyson, 55, and Jake Paul, 25, 'are finalizing deal for an exhibition bout in Las Vegas that could generate $49million': Ex-champ eyes his second fight since 2005
John Cena touches on whether he is ready to start a family with his wife of one year Shay: 'You have to have passion for it'
Betty White honored on her heavenly 100th birthday by Carol Burnett, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Garner, and more celebs
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight says the final season of hit show will 'go into and beyond the Second World War' and is 'the end of the beginning' as he teases future film release
Prince's estate valued at $156.4million as six-year legal battle for control comes to an end Prince died in 2016 but the legal battle over his estate ended on Sunday
Bella Hadid on overcoming her depressive episodes: 'I would just be in excruciating and debilitating mental and physical pain'
Cardi B is considering getting her four-month-old son's name tattooed on her face: 'I really really wanna do it!'