Seagulls are often dismissed as scruffy scavengers, but they are surprisingly long-lived birds — some individuals reaching an age that rivals a pet parrot.
A long life for a wild bird
Gulls are among the longer-lived wild birds. Many live 10 to 15 years, and larger species such as herring gulls commonly reach 20 to 30 years. Ringed wild gulls have been recorded living close to 50 years, which is remarkable for a wild bird.
Why gulls live so long
Gulls are intelligent, adaptable and opportunistic, which helps them find food and avoid danger in almost any environment — coast, farmland or city. That flexibility, combined with few natural predators once they are adults, lets many gulls reach a good age. As with most birds, the first year is the riskiest.
What shortens a gull's life
Young gulls face the greatest dangers, and adults can be harmed by fishing gear, pollution, eating human junk food, and collisions. Healthy coastal and wetland habitats, and not feeding them processed scraps, help gulls live the long lives they are capable of.