Object neophilia in wild herring gulls in urban and rural locations

Living with increasing urbanisation and human populations requires resourcefulness flexibility in wild animals' behaviour. Animals have to adapt anthropogenic novelty habitat structure resources that may not resemble, or be as beneficial as, natural resources. Herring gulls Larus argentatus increasingly reside towns cities breed forage, yet how are adjusting their behaviour life urban areas is fully understood. This study investigated herring gulls' responses novel common objects rural locations. We also examined whether age influenced object response found that, out of the 126 individual presented objects, 34% approached them. suggests majority targeted were wary lacked interest experimental set-up. Of 43 we those tested locations more slowly than counterparts. Overall, showed no preference for either did influence likelihood approach, approach speed choice. Individuals paid most attention they first, potentially indicative preferences. Our findings indicated attracted anecdotal reports suggested. Covering up obvious food rewards thus help mitigate human–gull conflict over sources.