[CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breastedMerganser

[David Provencher]

I have witnessed G.Black-backed Gull attacks on a number of other species,
including other gulls such as Herring Gull, and I suspect a number of other
birders have as well. Generally speaking predators do not like to take
chances with their prey and go after easy targets. In most cases I have
witnessed the prey was either young, injured, or appeared unwell (As Brian
Hiller suggests may be the case in this instance). As Herbert Spencer put
it, it is another case of "survival of the fittest." While the behavior is
unpleasant for us to observe it is a natural interaction and one that has
played out innumerable times before. Without such interactions the natural
world which we all hold so precious could not exist as we know it.
Personally I react with more distress to an oil-soaked bird than a bird that
has become a predator's meal. At least there is some sense in the latter.

 

Dave