Re: [Paddlewise] NATURE- Gull Capacity

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_seasurf.com>
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 10:51:28 -0800
Sam and Ann's post re:  gull play-acting reminded me of another common
gull trick.  I suspect others have seen this one, also:

Twice in the Brokens (Barkley Sound, BC) I have watched a gull fold a
small sea star (not sure which species) onto itself, with all five legs
still waving in the breeze, and squeeze that mess down its gullet! 
These sea stars were maybe 4-5 inches in diameter, and formed a bolus at
least an inch to an inch and a half in diameter at the wide part as they
were "swallowed."

Both gulls sorta stood around afterwards, eyeballs counter-rotating, and
hung out on the rock they were on until they could fly away.

Must be a hell of a digestive system!
-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Sat Jan 31 1998 - 10:49:19 PST

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