Exeter scientists have just discovered shouting at seagulls stops them pinching your chips

Exeter scientists have just discovered shouting at seagulls stops them from pinching your chips, or any other tasty snacks you have on show.

University of Exeter researchers tested 61 gulls as part of the experiment, leaving a tub of chips on the ground.

Scientists then played three different sounds: A robin’s birdsong, a male voice shouting, and a male voice talking. Perhaps unsurprisingly, shouting proved the most effective defence, the university reports.

The gulls were studied across nine Cornish seaside towns, and nearly half of them flew away within a minute when the shouting was played.

In contrast, only 15 per cent scarpered when the speaking voice played, though the rest did walk away eventually as they still sensed danger.

A robin’s birdsong proved largely ineffective as 70 per cent of the gulls simply ignored it.

Something tells me shouting won’t deter this fella

When the volume was changed on each sample, such as lowering the shouting voice to a speaking volume, the birds responded the same, indicating that gulls were paying attention to intonation, and not the scary-loud volume.

This kind of response, based on the tone of the speaker, is something only ever observed in domestic species such as dogs or horses, and never seen before in wild animals like gulls.

According to Dr Neeltje Boogert of the Centre of Ecology and Conservation at Exeter’s Penryn Campus, urban gulls were more vigilant overall and pecked the food container less.

Researchers also said the shouting led to flight more often than the speaking, which mostly caused the birds to walk away.

Despite my vilification of the seagull, Dr Boogert promises they are rarely that bold and don’t really directly steal.

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The ecology professor also wants to prevent gulls from being physically harmed, and says this experiment should prevent theft without resorting to violence.

Seagulls are a conservation concern. So rant online about the pesky things, shout at them till your voice is hoarse, but by no means harm them.

After all, why on earth would you fight an animal a fraction of your size?

Featured image via Canva