Shriek of the Week Special: Seagull

Recent research confirms that all 'gulls' are in fact 'seagulls'

Seagulls emit a myriad range of calls, from squawks and mews to that familiar, piercing rooftop laugh.

While these may sound very different to the human ear, science has now established that each of these vocalisations has, in fact, just one meaning: “I see your chips.”

Although sometimes considered to be birds, seagulls are in fact a different order of lifeforms altogether, and are formed of just one superspecies, Larus badass.

Smaller seagulls may appear to be so different from the larger specimens that they must be a different species. Don’t be fooled! You are in fact just further away from them.

By 1 April, the ones that are further away sometimes begin to sport a brown colour on the head. This is not the genuine colour of their feathers, but is painted on by small children as part of a long-standing springtime tradition started by Princess Margaret.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s about this time of year that most of these gulls move far away from children, and all Hobbycraft outlets.

They spend the next few months on remote marshland or coastal islands, raising young to take their mind off things, practising hot yoga and gradually losing the pigmentation.

By autumn they can often be found again inland. They are attracted to the radio stations that farmers listen to, and may be seen following tractors in large numbers.

Studies by the British Trust for Ornithology suggest that the biggest flocks of seagulls tend to gather for Absolute 80s, although TalkSPORT 2 is also “a favourite”.

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This is the 13.5th instalment in 2025’s cycle of Shriek of the Week. You can catch up with Robin, which includes details of the plan for this year, as well as Wren, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Great Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blackcap.

For those who can, subscribing to the paid tier to Shriek of the Week supports me to write more and keep this all going.

It also gets you access to the full A-Z archive of Shriek of the Week AND our livestream-hopping Early Bird Club call - the next is 8am BST (GMT +1) on Saturday 5th April (next weekend).