Deformities in Black headed gulls. (1 Viewer)

stevo

Well-known member

• May 5, 2005

• #1

I`ve been out today photographing the above birds as well as others & in a group of about 15 Black headed gulls 3 had injuries/deformities to their legs.One bird had a missing foot but the leg was constantly twitching the other two birds were both limping & unable to put any weight on that leg.Is this all common in gulls ie some sort of genetic problem?

Cheers Steve.

 

christineredgate

Winner of the Copeland Wildlife Photographer of th

• May 5, 2005

• #2

Strange you should make this observation,Steve,several months ago I submitted a pic to the Gallery showing a Gull with only one foot,and yes I have noticed it amongs't other Gulls.Also there was a Lapwing in our river which had a foot problem.Wonder if it anything to do with fishing in the area.

 

TWM

Well-known member

• May 7, 2005

• #3

Gulls spend a lot of time at Rubbish Tips where they can pick up things like string etc that gets caught on their legs. There is also a lot of rubbish floating in the sea which they can get entangled with.As Christine points out discarded fishing lines are a major problem. Tim

 

E

Edward woodwood

Member

• May 7, 2005

• #4

I thnk some seabirds can be rather prone to fungal infections of the feet....