Raising a baby gull
Hand-Rearing a Baby Gull: Until Its Return to the Wild
Finding a baby gull can be a touching moment, but it is also a big responsibility. If the bird is in trouble, you need to act correctly to ensure its safety, healthy development and successful return to the wild.
First steps after finding a duckling
If you come across an abandoned chick, it is important to assess its condition:
Injured gull – If you notice wounds, broken wings or difficulty moving, the bird should be taken to a vet or a wild bird rescue centre straight away.
Healthy but abandoned chick – Before picking it up, watch the surroundings. The parents may be nearby and still caring for it.
If you are sure the chick has been left on its own, gently move it into a cardboard box with air holes, lined with soft cloth to reduce stress. Keep it in a warm, quiet place until you have decided on the next steps.
The right diet: what do baby gulls eat?
A natural diet is essential for a young gull’s healthy growth and development. Its diet should include:
Fresh fish – The best source of protein and fat, chopped up for younger birds.
Seafood – Shrimps, shellfish and small squid enrich the diet.
Minced fish with bones – Helps develop strong bones.
Fresh water – Always make sure there is fresh water for drinking and bathing
Feeding in the first days
If the gull is very young and cannot eat on its own, you can gently offer food with tweezers. In the first days it should be fed every 2–3 hours, in small portions.
If the bird shows signs of dehydration (listlessness, dry skin), give it an oral rehydration solution (water with electrolytes) before feeding.
Feeding independently
As the chick grows, it starts taking food by itself. You can then offer it:
Whole pieces of fish
Raw seafood
Fish with skin and small bones
Feeding is gradually reduced to 3–4 meals a day, and it is important to avoid human food such as bread, milk and cooked food, as these can cause digestive problems.
Preparing for the return to the wild
For the gull to adapt successfully to the wild, it needs to be taught independence step by step:
Time outdoors – Provide a safe space where it can exercise its wings and get used to the weather.
Less contact with people – The gull must not become too attached to people, as this would jeopardise its adaptation to the wild.
Simulated hunting – Gradually encourage it to search for and catch food so it is ready for an independent life.
Release into the wild: the key moment
The best place to release a young gull is near the coast, where it can easily find food and join others of its kind. When releasing it:
Choose a quiet moment, without lots of people or predators nearby.
Release it near water, where it will feel safer.
Watch its behaviour – If it adapts quickly and starts looking for food, that is a sign it is ready for an independent life.
Conclusion
Raising a young gull takes patience, responsibility and an understanding of its natural needs. With proper care and gradual independence, the bird will have the best chance of returning to the wild, where it belongs. By doing things the right way, you are not only saving one life but also helping to preserve the natural balance of the marine ecosystem.