Claire Thompson
If you find a seagull chick, the general advice is to leave it alone. Parent gulls are very protective and will do anything to protect their young. They will continue to feed the baby until they are five to six weeks old, although they only feed them a handful of times a day, so it is normal for baby gulls to call to their parents. If the chick is injured or its condition is deteriorating, contact your local wildlife rescue centre or vet for advice. If the chick is very young and in danger, you can return it to a roof or adjacent high spot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| If the chick is injured or in immediate danger | Move it to a nearby safer location, then contact a wildlife rescue or vet for advice |
| If the chick is uninjured but on the ground | Place it on a nearby high spot, such as a fence or wall |
| If the chick has been bitten by a cat | Take it to a rescue centre or vet for antibiotics to prevent septicaemia |
| If the chick has been caught by a dog | Assess it for injuries |
| If the chick has been hit by a car or flown into a window | Make sure it's safe and contact a wildlife rescue for advice |
| If the chick is calling for its parents but they aren't feeding it | As long as it's uninjured, off the ground, and the parents are in the area, this isn't a cause for concern |
| If the chick's condition worsens or it is sick | Take it to a vet or wildlife rehabilitator |
| If you need to approach the chick | Be careful, as parent gulls may swoop to protect their chick |
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What You'll Learn
If the chick is injured, contact a vet or wildlife rehabilitator
If you find a seagull chick and notice that it is injured, your first step should be to contact a vet or a wildlife rehabilitator. This is because injured chicks are unlikely to survive in the wild without intervention. It is important to act quickly and get the necessary help for the chick.
Firstly, you can assess whether the chick has any visible wounds or if its wings or legs appear damaged. If they do, then it is best to contact a professional for advice. Additionally, if a chick has been caught by a cat or dog, it will require immediate rescue and treatment due to the risk of bacterial infection from a cat's teeth. Even if bitten by a cat or dog, the chick should be properly assessed for injuries as soon as possible.
If the chick has flown into a window or been hit by a car, it may be stunned, so ensure it is safe and contact a wildlife rescue or vet for advice. It is common for chicks to fall from nests or rooftops, and they can injure their wings or legs during such falls. If you notice any injuries, carefully place the chick in a cardboard box and take it to your nearest rescue centre or vet.
It is important to remember that parent gulls are protective of their young and may swoop to protect their chick if they perceive any threat. Therefore, when intervening to help an injured chick, be cautious and aware of the parent gulls' presence.
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If the chick is very young, return it to a high spot
If the chick is very young—identified by its small size, fluffy down, and preference to run rather than fly—and is in a dangerous situation, it can be returned to a high spot, such as a roof, fence, or wall. This action is recommended only if the chick is in a hazardous location, as seagull parents are usually protective and will watch over their offspring. They will continue to feed the chick until they are five to six weeks old, only visiting their offspring a handful of times a day.
It is common for seagull chicks to fall from their nests or rooftops, and they may injure their wings or legs in the process. If the chick is injured, it is best to place it in a cardboard box and take it to your nearest rescue centre or wildlife rehabilitator.
If the chick is uninjured, it is best to leave it alone, as parent gulls will be close by, watching their offspring's every move. It is normal for baby gulls to call out to their parents, and they may spend time on the ground, building strength in their wings.
If you are concerned about the chick's welfare, you can observe from a distance to ensure the parents are present and feeding the chick. However, do not approach the chick or attempt to feed it yourself, as disturbing a seagull nest can have legal consequences.
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If the chick is bitten by a cat, get rescue treatment
If you come across a seagull chick that has been bitten by a cat, it is important to act quickly. Cat bites can cause septicaemia (blood poisoning) in birds, and without antibiotic treatment, the chick is likely to die. Even if the chick seems fine, it is important to seek treatment for it within 4 hours.
Firstly, place the chick in a secure box or animal carrier, lined with tissues, and put it somewhere safe and quiet, away from the cat. The chick will be in a state of shock, so it needs a calm environment to recover. Make sure you do not handle the chick more than necessary, and wash your hands after any contact with it.
Next, contact a reputable rescue centre or wildlife organisation. The chick will need to be assessed by an experienced rehabber or avian vet with wildlife experience. It is important to call ahead to local practices, as vets are not obliged to treat wildlife for free and may not have the necessary training. The rescue centre will administer antibiotics to the chick to prevent infection.
If the chick has any open wounds, it will need to be taken to a veterinary surgery as soon as possible. Birds attacked by cats commonly suffer open abdominal, pelvic, or chest injuries, and internal organ damage. In almost all cases, euthanasia is the only viable option for birds with these types of injuries.
If the chick is very young and uninjured, it may be possible to return it to its nest or a nearby high spot, such as a roof or fence. However, if the chick is on the ground, its parents are unlikely to feed it as they will be wary of coming down.
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If the chick is in danger, move it to a safe location
If the chick is in danger, the first step is to move it to a safe location nearby. If the chick is very young—small, covered in down, and preferring to run rather than fly—you can return it to a high spot like a roof, fence, or wall.
If the chick has been injured by a fall, you may want to place it in a cardboard box and take it to your nearest rescue centre. If the chick has been caught by a cat or dog, it will need rescue and treatment. Cat bites can transmit bacteria that cause fatal septicaemia in birds if left untreated. If the chick has been caught by a dog, it should be assessed for injuries.
If the chick has been hit by a car or flown into a window, it should be moved to a safe location and a wildlife rescue should be contacted for advice. If the chick is injured or its condition is deteriorating, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation centre or vet for advice.
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If the chick is uninjured, leave it alone
If the seagull chick is uninjured, it is best to leave it alone. Parent gulls are very protective and will do anything to protect their young. They will even put out a distress call to other nearby gulls if they perceive a threat. The parents will usually be close by, watching their offspring's every move.
Gulls leave the nest before they can fly, and it is common for them to spend time on the ground, building strength in their wings. This may take up to about a week. During this time, the parents will continue to feed the baby, and it is normal for baby gulls to call to their parents. Gulls feed their young only a handful of times a day, so if the infant looks healthy and alert, it is likely being fed by its parents.
If the chick is very young—small, covered in down, and preferring to run rather than fly—you can return it to a roof or adjacent high spot, like a fence or wall, if it is in danger. However, people and animals need to stay away, and you should not feed the chick.
If the chick is uninjured and off the ground, it is best to leave it alone. If the chick is in an unsafe location, you can move it to a nearby safer spot. However, be careful, as parent gulls may swoop and try to protect their chick if you approach it.
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Frequently asked questions
It is common for baby gulls to fall from their nests. If the chick is uninjured, leave it where it is as its parents will likely be nearby watching and continue to care for it. If the chick is in danger, move it to a safer location, such as a nearby wall or fence.
If the chick has been attacked by a cat or dog, or has an obvious injury such as a damaged wing or leg, it needs help. Contact a wildlife rescue or your local vet for advice.
It is normal for baby gulls to call out to their parents, who may only feed them a handful of times a day. As long as the chick is uninjured, off the ground, and the parents are in the area, this is not usually a cause for concern.
Parent gulls are often close by, watching their offspring, but they may be anxious if you approach. If the chick is in a dangerous location, you can try to move it to a safer spot, but be careful—parent gulls may swoop to protect their young.
If the chick's condition worsens over 24 hours, contact your local vet or wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
