I took this photo during my travels a week ago. Now that winter is over, the gulls are flying back to ensure everything is still intact and they have a home to return to. This is the Ring-billed Gull. Known by some as a bother always looking for your food, my job is to teach you why these are more than just “annoying” birds. These are real animals that aren’t trying to pester you; they are simply living their lives.

When I went home to learn more about them, I couldn’t understand why the word “seagull” didn’t come up. It’s obviously a seagull, right? We’ve known this our whole lives. However, what shocked me is the discovery that “seagulls” have never actually existed. “Seagull” is just a made-up name we gave them. They are simply called gulls. There are about 50 species of gull worldwide, including this Ring-billed Gull.

If you already knew that seagulls don’t exist, that’s awesome! What I enjoy about doing wildlife conservation is not pretending I know everything. My goal is for us to all learn and understand together. I like being able to tell you all, “Wow, I was wrong. These are the actual facts I found!”

Post-Winter Instincts: Reclaiming Territory and Assessing the Home Front

Gulls have incredible memory. They not only remember the best places to scavenge but can remember individual people for at least a year. So, if you’ve been a threat to one you better be careful!

When they come back around February and March from Winter you’ll notice some species of Gull circling around flying back to their old familiar homes. They make sure everything is safe first before going to back to their old nests.

How you can help protect Gulls

The most common thing people do is feed birds. Please stop. Every time I walk into a grocery store parking lot I see people throwing french fries at them. This is not good for wild birds. First, it disrupts their natural foraging behaviors and they start becoming dependent on humans for food. This is not only bad for their survival but can make them aggressive if they want food and you don’t have any. Or if you do have food but won’t share.

If you are going to feed wild birds set up a bird feeder in your backyard and do the research into what the species in your area can eat that is healthy and nutritious for their survival. Make sure you clean it often because I’ve seen people just leave it out and only clean it once a year. Help prevent the spread of disease because it will be more than just that bird suffering. It causes a chain reaction across many species and habitats.

The best way to help the Gull is remember they aren’t just pests trying to steal your food. They are animals who have been taught that humans are a free source of food. We need to break that habit not punish them for what we taught them.

Field Research Disclaimer: Content is for entertainment and editorial purposes only. I am not a medical, legal, or professional advisor. Photography is captured via handheld, minimal equipment for independent research in public or authorized spaces—no identifiable subjects are featured. Do not attempt these observations; consult a professional for safety. Findings are independent observations of Comfy Chaos Collective.