Shouting Works Best to Deter Gulls, UK Study Finds

Published: 12 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

For seaside visitors in the UK, the sight of a herring gull swooping toward an unattended pasty or a bag of chips is all too familiar. Many react instinctively, waving their arms frantically or retreating toward the nearest shelter, hoping to avoid losing their snack. But a new study from the University of Exeter suggests there may be a more effective—and surprisingly simple—method: a no-nonsense shout.

Researchers from Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation aimed to identify the most effective way to deter gulls without resorting to harmful or aggressive measures. In a controlled experiment across nine Cornish seaside towns, the team placed portions of chips in locations where gulls were almost guaranteed to find them. Once the birds approached, the scientists played one of three recordings to test gull responses: a male voice shouting, a male voice speaking the same words at the same volume, and a neutral recording of a robin’s song.

The results were striking. Nearly half of the gulls exposed to the shouting voice flew away within a minute, demonstrating that the birds were highly responsive to the tone and delivery of human speech. By contrast, only 15% of gulls exposed to the spoken voice flew off, although the majority still distanced themselves from the food, indicating that they sensed a potential threat. Interestingly, 70% of gulls hearing the robin song remained at the food, showing minimal reaction to non-threatening natural sounds.

Crucially, the shouting and speaking recordings were played at the same volume. This meant that it was not the loudness of the sound but the acoustic properties of the delivery that influenced the gulls’ behaviour. The researchers suggested this could be the first study to examine whether wild, non-captive animals can perceive differences in the way humans speak the same words at the same volume—a trait previously observed mainly in domesticated species like dogs, pigs, and horses.

“We found that urban gulls were more vigilant and pecked less at the food container when we played them a male voice, whether it was speaking or shouting,” said Neeltje Boogert, a lead researcher at Exeter’s Penryn campus in Cornwall. “But the difference was that the gulls were more likely to fly away at the shouting and more likely to walk away at the speaking. So when trying to scare off a gull that’s trying to steal your food, talking might stop them in their tracks, but shouting is more effective at making them fly away.”

Boogert explained that the study demonstrates gulls’ ability to interpret subtle variations in human vocal signals. “Normally when someone is shouting, it’s scary because it’s a loud noise, but in this case all the noises were the same volume and it was just the way the words were being said that was different. It seems that gulls pay attention to the way we say things, which we don’t think has been seen before in any wild species, only in those domesticated species that have been bred around humans for generations, such as dogs, pigs, and horses.”

The study also underscores the importance of non-harmful methods for managing human-wildlife interactions. Herring gulls are considered a species of conservation concern, and traditional deterrent methods—such as chasing or physically threatening birds—can be stressful or damaging. “This experiment shows there are peaceful ways to deter them that don’t involve physical contact,” Boogert noted.

The researchers plan to extend their study to explore whether female voices have a similar effect on gulls’ behaviour. This could provide further insight into how gulls perceive human vocal signals and whether their responses are influenced by gendered variations in pitch or tone.

An unexpected finding emerged regarding gulls’ behaviour in different types of towns. The researchers initially hypothesised that gulls in larger, more populated towns such as Penzance would be more aggressive, given their frequent exposure to human activity. Instead, gulls in smaller, highly touristy towns like St Ives were more likely to target human food. Boogert suggested that this may be because these birds are accustomed to foraging opportunistically for meals provided by visitors, highlighting how local ecological conditions and human activity patterns influence wildlife behaviour.

The study sheds new light on the complex relationship between humans and wildlife in urban and coastal environments. Gulls have long been a source of fascination and frustration for the public, their adaptability and boldness making them both charming and challenging neighbours. By understanding the nuances of their behaviour, researchers hope to provide evidence-based recommendations that reduce conflict while supporting conservation goals.

In addition to practical guidance for beachgoers, the research contributes to a growing field of animal cognition studies. It demonstrates that wild animals can perceive and respond to human vocal cues in ways that were previously underestimated. Such findings have implications beyond coastal towns, informing strategies for managing urban wildlife interactions and encouraging coexistence without harm.

Boogert concluded: “The study shows that subtle variations in human vocalisation can be a powerful tool in deterring wildlife. A simple, assertive shout—without raising the volume—can make a herring gull reconsider its approach. It’s a method that is easy to implement, non-invasive, and considerate of the birds’ welfare.”

The findings have practical appeal for anyone visiting coastal regions during the busy tourist season. From families enjoying ice cream to holidaymakers savoring pasties on Cornish beaches, knowing how to assertively communicate with gulls could reduce food theft and enhance the seaside experience. Rather than flailing arms or sprinting away, a clear, assertive voice may be all that is required.

As humans and wildlife continue to interact in shared spaces, studies like this one highlight the importance of understanding animal behaviour to prevent conflict while respecting ecological and conservation considerations. With gull populations increasingly adapting to urban and tourist environments, such insights are invaluable in promoting peaceful coexistence.

By combining field observations with controlled experiments, the Exeter team has offered a rare glimpse into how herring gulls interpret human vocal signals. Their work not only informs public behaviour but also contributes to broader research on the cognitive abilities of wild birds, demonstrating adaptability and environmental awareness that extend far beyond instinctual feeding behaviours.

Ultimately, the study reinforces the idea that simple, non-invasive interventions—like a measured shout—can effectively manage interactions with wildlife, safeguarding both human interests and the wellbeing of animal populations. For seaside visitors, it turns out that raising one’s voice might be the most humane and effective way to protect a Cornish pasty from an opportunistic gull.