Katie Bertsche writes about gulls and their feeding behaviour. I have the
following, second-hand
account to add to the list.
Some friends of mine recently (Sept. 1996) noted a Pacific Gull (Larus
pacificus) at the seaside
beach of Portsea near Port Phillip heads, Melbourne, Australia. The gull had
found an injured Little
Penguin (Eudyptula minor) and was observed lifting it to a height of a few
metres then _dropping_ the
poor bird onto the rock platform. This was done a few times before the gull
carried the penguin away.
I expressed my surprise at this event, as I would have thought a penguin _too
heavy_ for a gull to lift,
but I was assurred it happened.
I have not heard of Australian gulls attempting such feats before.
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Martin O'Brien
Flora and Fauna Branch
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
4/250 Victoria Pde.,
GPO Box 41
East Melbourne, 3002
Victoria, AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 3 9412 4273
Fax: +61 3 9412 4586
e-mail
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