Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, classed as American ecologists, report that short-beaked gulls (Larus brachyrhynchus), a species common across North America, are shifting their living spaces. They are moving from traditional river and coastal habitats into urban settings where food scraps and waste are plentiful. This pattern indicates a notable change in the birds’ geographic preferences and behavior, influenced by human activity. (citation: EcoInfo)
Over the course of the study, the team observed that these gulls frequently occupy spaces that are also home to ravens from late spring through the height of summer. Common sites include parking lots surrounding supermarkets and fast food outlets, as well as other man-made locations such as industrial gravel yards and municipal dumpsters. The researchers emphasize that such sites provide reliable, accessible food sources, which may encourage repeated visits and larger gatherings of birds in urban areas. (citation: EcoInfo)
Remarkably, the researchers summarize the collected data using an artificial intelligence model for the first time in this line of inquiry. The AI-enabled analysis integrated three years of observational data to identify patterns that might escape traditional methods. The approach highlights how machine-driven insights can reveal shifts in wildlife distribution tied to human landscapes and resource availability. (citation: EcoInfo)
The results point to a link between the ready supply of anthropogenic foods and the expansion of gull populations into cities. In other words, when human-derived food is easy to obtain, gulls are more likely to adjust their range toward urban centers. This migration contrasts with the birds’ historical reliance on coastal and riverine ecosystems and underscores how quickly animal behavior can respond to urban pressures. (citation: EcoInfo)
Environmental advocates caution that a diet dominated by fast food leftovers can be detrimental to avian health and longevity. The consumption of fried foods, salty snacks, and irregular meal patterns can lead to nutritional imbalances, obesity, and related health issues in seabirds and gulls alike. In addition, seagulls can carry pathogens that pose risks to other wildlife and humans, including salmonellosis, which underscores the broader public health implications of inland seabird foraging. (citation: EcoInfo)
Experts note that the modeling indicates large-scale environmental changes driven by human influence, with consequences extending beyond individual species to entire urban ecosystems. The study demonstrates how artificial intelligence can help scientists track shifts in habitat use, food networks, and species interactions in rapidly changing landscapes. (citation: EcoInfo)
These findings align with wider observations of wildlife adapting to human-modified environments, a trend that has been documented in various regions around the world. The Alaska study adds a Canadian and American context to the growing body of evidence that urbanization can reshape the movements and diets of birds that were once strictly tied to more natural settings. (citation: EcoInfo)
As urban planners and conservationists consider future developments, the research encourages attention to how waste management practices, food waste reduction, and public education about wildlife can influence patterns of wildlife movement. Proactive measures could mitigate health risks for both birds and people while supporting biodiversity in cities. (citation: EcoInfo)