This morning I’m sharing two photos of a California Gull playing with a stick at one of my local ponds that I took during the winter in January of 2021.
California Gull playing with a stick – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The gull caught my eye because it kept tossing the stick into the air while it was flying over the pond. At first I thought the stick was a food item. Knowing gulls like I do though, I know that if the stick had been food the other gulls would have been chasing it to steal it.
Do gulls play?
According to birdsoftheworld.org they do although it may not be truly play:
Most common play activity appears to be practice of picking up a stick, dropping it, and swooping or bending to catch or pick it up again. This behavior most common in older chicks and fledglings; rarely, if ever, expressed in adults. Clearly, age distribution of this behavior suggests a functional practice element, and it may not be “true” play.
California Gull snagging a stick in mid air – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
If you know California Gulls you might notice that the gull in my photos isn’t a chick or a fledgling. It appears to be a third winter bird. The California Gull I photographed isn’t quite an adult but its certainly not young either.
I know for certain that some birds “play” just to play. My pet budgie, Babe, played often. Babe loved to play with his toys and with me. Other birds from the parrot family play too. Members of the corvid family play.
Long ago I photographed a Black Skimmer on the West Coast of Florida that also appeared to be playing with a “stick” that was actually a mangrove seed pod. The skimmer twirled that seed pod around its bill for quite a few minutes. I was fascinated by the odd behavior.
If members of the parrot and corvids families can play I don’t see why members of the gull family wouldn’t.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my California Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
I think that animals perform a great number of behaviors for which we don’t give them credit, play included. This is the gull version of “pick up sticks.” 😉
As an elementary school teacher, I know for certain that play is one of the best ways to learn. Preschool is all about purposeful play.
I love to watch birds and animals play. I am very sure that they do as well.
Nice shots. Great behaviour story. I once had a crow in my backyard, who, after a heavy snowfall, would walk to the peak of my garage and slide down, over and over and over. It was great fun to watch. I’m only sorry I never had a camera or even a phone close enough to grab when it happened. Great, great fun for me; I only wish I could tell how to recognize that crows are laughing and whooping because I’m sure he must have been having a great time too.
Great shots Mia and explanation! Wow, when you think you’ve seen it all !!
I have seen adult Ring-billed Gulls play with sticks. Or it may have been the same gull playing with sticks on different days.