akirlu | Red in Tooth and Claw, Yes, But... (Reply)

Crossing the transit plaza this morning, I heard the distinctive cries of a juvenile gull clamoring to be fed by an adult. I glanced over to spot an adult gull fussing with some prize in its beak, and yes, sure enough, a gray-mottled juvenile waddling around it, requesting the morsel. About then was when I realized that the "morsel" was an entire pigeon, which the adult gull had clamped in its beak. The pigeon was still fluttering erratically, as the gull gave it another shake. The young gull ducked its head after the prize, begging to be fed. A small cluster of other pigeons formed a staring circle around the spectacle, mesmerized or unconcerned, I don't know which. I felt my gorge rise a little and dove directly into my elevator down to the tunnel platform, struggling to make sense of the image still impressed on my retina.

I don't quite get it, I guess. Was I witness to some sort of small episode of species evolution? Have gulls figured out that if they can eat fish they can eat smaller birds, as well? No reason why not, I guess. Some raptors do, and reputedly crows do as well, but it's not what I'm used to expecting from seagulls. I suppose it's a niche that's been waiting to be filled -- an urban bird that preys on other urban birds, and it would probably be good for urban environments to have pigeons subject to natural predation -- but it's going to take some getting used to if this is the sign of a new normal.