Scientists Confirm: The Best Way to Stop Seagulls? Just Yell at Them!

A new study from the University of Exeter has found that shouting at seagulls may be the most effective way to stop them from stealing your food.

Researchers in Cornwall tested different sounds — a calm voice, a robin’s birdsong, and a loud human yell — to see how gulls reacted when confronted with fish and chips.

The results were striking: gulls were three times more likely to fly away when hearing a shout than when hearing a normal speaking voice.

Out of 21 birds exposed to shouting, nearly half flew off immediately, while most ignored the birdsong entirely.

The findings suggest that raised human voices may mimic natural warning signals in animal behavior, making them a surprisingly powerful tool for beachgoers defending their snacks.