Feeding Behavior in Laughing Gulls: Compensatory Site Selection by Young

Abstract

Feeding behavior of different age classes of Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) was studied in different habitats in Texas and Mexico; feeding methods were compared. Adults generally had higher capture success rates and shorter intervals between obtaining food items than young, while subadults were intermediate in both measures. Where food was most readily available (i.e., garbage dumps and fish offal), differences among age classes were negligible. Age differences increased when intervals between obtaining food increased, reflecting the greater difficulty of the feeding task. Proportionately more young fed in those situations where their interfood intervals and success rates most closely approached those of the adults. Young gulls thus appeared to compensate for their generally lower feeding success by feeding at certain sites.