A seagull is a common name for various species of birds that live near oceans, lakes, and rivers. These birds have white or gray feathers, webbed feet for swimming, and loud, squawking calls that echo across beaches and harbors. While many people call them seagulls, scientists actually use more specific names like herring gull, ring-billed gull, or laughing gull.

Seagulls are famous scavengers, meaning they'll eat almost anything they can find: fish, crabs, insects, trash from garbage cans, or French fries snatched right off your beach blanket. They're incredibly smart and adaptable. Some have learned to stomp their feet on grass to trick earthworms into coming to the surface, thinking it's raining. Others drop clams from high in the air onto rocks to crack them open.

These birds are also known for being bold and persistent. If you've ever eaten lunch at the beach, you've probably noticed seagulls gathering nearby, watching with sharp eyes and waiting for any opportunity. They follow fishing boats, gather in parking lots, and thrive in places where most wild animals struggle. Their success at living alongside humans, combined with their noisy presence and food-stealing habits, makes them one of the most recognizable birds in coastal areas worldwide.