Beachgoers have long been at odds with beach-dwelling birds: specifically, the pesky seagull. You sit down to enjoy a peaceful lunch by the sea, only for these opportunistic scavengers to swoop in and steal your snacks. So, it's natural to feel like yelling. And, according to new research published in Biology Letters, you should – shouting is actually an effective way to keep them at bay.
A team of researchers from the University of Exeter tested three different methods for shooing away herring gulls from a closed container of chips on the ground (yes, no humans were harmed in this study). The results show that shouting is far more effective than talking or singing in deterring these birds. In fact, when gulls approached the container, playing a recording of a male voice shouting "No, stay away, that's my food" sent them flying within just one minute.
In contrast, speaking to the same voice only led to 15% of the gulls taking flight, while the remaining birds walked away, still sensing danger. The researchers tested these methods using recordings from five different male voices, delivered at the same volume, and found that it was the shouting – not the tone – that made all the difference.
So, why do gulls react differently to talking versus shouting? It's thought that they're sensitive to differences in human voice patterns, a trait more commonly observed in domesticated species like dogs, pigs, and horses. Essentially, these birds seem to "get" it when you're using your words – but with an added emphasis.
But the study's findings come as no surprise to those who've spent time by the seaside: shouting at seagulls is often necessary to protect one's lunch. And that's exactly what researchers want people to know. Rather than resorting to physical violence, which can harm these birds and put them on the conservation list, there are peaceful ways to keep gulls away.
So go ahead – yell at those pesky seagulls. Use your words (and a healthy dose of volume) to defend your snacks, rather than reaching for your hands. After all, as we're often told, "use your words" is an age-old parenting phrase that's not just limited to sibling squabbles.
A team of researchers from the University of Exeter tested three different methods for shooing away herring gulls from a closed container of chips on the ground (yes, no humans were harmed in this study). The results show that shouting is far more effective than talking or singing in deterring these birds. In fact, when gulls approached the container, playing a recording of a male voice shouting "No, stay away, that's my food" sent them flying within just one minute.
In contrast, speaking to the same voice only led to 15% of the gulls taking flight, while the remaining birds walked away, still sensing danger. The researchers tested these methods using recordings from five different male voices, delivered at the same volume, and found that it was the shouting – not the tone – that made all the difference.
So, why do gulls react differently to talking versus shouting? It's thought that they're sensitive to differences in human voice patterns, a trait more commonly observed in domesticated species like dogs, pigs, and horses. Essentially, these birds seem to "get" it when you're using your words – but with an added emphasis.
But the study's findings come as no surprise to those who've spent time by the seaside: shouting at seagulls is often necessary to protect one's lunch. And that's exactly what researchers want people to know. Rather than resorting to physical violence, which can harm these birds and put them on the conservation list, there are peaceful ways to keep gulls away.
So go ahead – yell at those pesky seagulls. Use your words (and a healthy dose of volume) to defend your snacks, rather than reaching for your hands. After all, as we're often told, "use your words" is an age-old parenting phrase that's not just limited to sibling squabbles.
seagulls are literally the worst! I mean who hasn't had their lunch stolen by one of those feathered thieves? but seriously, shouting at them actually works?! 
i've been trying to outsmart them for years and it turns out all i needed was a loud voice to scare them away. now that's what i call a game-changer! 
and yeah, using your words (and volume) is way better than getting violent - we should be defending our snacks in peace 
gotta say, this one's a bit weird... i mean, shouting at birds? it's like, yeah, maybe it works, but what about all the noise pollution concerns? and are we sure this isn't just some fancy study trying to justify us being annoying to seagulls? 
i need some more info on those "five different male voices" they used... did they even consider a female voice or just stick with the same old guy? also, how do we know it's not the tone of the shout that's doing the trick, not the volume itself? 
, i mean who knew science backs it up too?! 
I'm so down for shouting at seagulls now! Like, who doesn't want to yell at those pesky birds trying to steal our snacks? 
It's basically a self-defense mechanism, you know? But seriously, it's kinda cool that the researchers found out what makes them fly away. I guess it's all about the tone and volume of your voice... or rather, the "shouting" part 
. No more physical violence or scaring them away with loud noises (which, let's be real, is just annoying). Just a good ol' fashioned shout-out to keep those gulls at bay 
.
! Shouting at seagulls really does work, and it's about time scientists proved it 
Who knew science backed up our common sense? 
#SeagullShoutOut #BirdsBeGone #SnackSafety
But yeah, makes sense that our voices are more intimidating than just talking. My wife always said it's best to be firm but gentle with the kids, same thing here with those seagulls. We should teach people (and those pesky birds) that yelling can be effective too. 
anyway, glad someone's researching ways to deal with these feathered thieves 
... like, it's actually kinda effective at keeping them away? i mean, who needs peace and quiet when you can have a good snack theft prevention strategy right? but seriously though, why do gulls react differently to talking vs shouting? is it something about the tone or pitch of our voices that they can detect? and what about all those other methods they tested out - like, would singing work just as well? 
i'm kinda curious to try this out next time i go to the beach with some snacks...
. Let's explore other options and make sure we're not causing more harm than good 
, I'm like totally glad this research came out! Shouting at seagulls is literally the best way to keep them away from our snacks 
- it's been a major pet peeve of mine when I'm trying to chill by the sea and these birds just swoop in for my fries 
. But seriously, who knew that using a loud voice could be an effective deterrent? It makes total sense that they're sensitive to human voice patterns - dogs are like that too, right? 
). Thanks for sharing this study, it's like totally game-changing for beachgoers everywhere! 
! They're super sensitive to those high-pitched frequencies, no wonder they freak out when we shout at them! I mean, have you ever noticed how seagulls behave when there's a loudspeaker playing music near their habitat? They get all aggro and fly away ASAP 
. It's like they're tuning in to some invisible frequency that tells 'em to stay away. And now scientists are studying this, wow! I knew it all along 
. Shouting is just a clever trick we can use to outsmart those sneaky birds. No more losing snacks to feathered thieves 
It's just too much pressure on those feathered friends...