Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) Science Article 9
abstract
Previous studies have shown age-related differences in feeding success for a number of bird species, particularly those found in marine environments. We compared the foraging success of adult and immature Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) feeding along the Playa Miramar northwest of Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. On many of the feeding dives, Laughing Gulls (Larusa tticilia) were attracted to pelicans and often behaved aggressively in attempts to obtain food from them. Adult Brown Pelicans were significantly more successful than immatures. Laughing Gulls were attracted to successful pelicans regardless of the age of the pelican.
GARY D. SCHNELL, BARBARA L. WOODS, AND BONNIE J. PLOGER, The Auk 100: 636-644. July 1983