Gulls are extraordinarily variable in the way they look. The color of an individual’s plumage, legs, and eyes reveals not only what species it is, but also its age, condition and social status.
In this latest Nature Moments video, Bowdoin’s Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Natural Sciences Nathaniel T. Wheelwright, explains why this makes evolutionary sense, and why we are NOT to call them “seagulls.”
If you want to make your own natural history observations, The Naturalist’s Notebook by Wheelwright and Bernd Heinrich (Storey Publishing, 2017) provide guidance and a systematic format, with 100 percent of royalties going to conservation and environmental education.
3 thoughts on “Nature Moments: Why Gulls Keep Changing Their Appearance”
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Very interesting video! I love gulls with all my heart. I could spend hours watching them. It’s almost frustrating how varied their plumage can be, especially when comparing juveniles or birds far away/flying, but it’s nice to know (and makes perfect sense) that there is such an explainable evolutionary advantage attached to that variation.
Love this
Thanks. I will buy this thing. Also, from a more spiritual perspective concerning our animal friends, there is the book Animal Speak by Ted Andrews. It speaks of the spiritual properties of the totems. Read wisely as some information may be found offensive. Finally, study Mr. Andrews’ life and you will know why I suggested reading his work as well.