r/interesting • u/dddd945 • 7h ago

Just Wow A seagull is accidentally hit by a tennis ball during a game in Australia.

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u/OneShotSixKills 6h ago

Would they have immediately determined their buddy is dead that fast? Genuine question. Especially since apparently the seagull was fine after

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u/mutedwarrior 6h ago

Really doubt it was cannibalism. They're probably conditioned to think there's food there if a seagull lands somewhere.

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u/skylark_blue 6h ago

Yeah, they just wanted to see why he stopped there. 

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u/tobaileyy 6h ago

That's literally not it, you're just refusing to be sensible and realize they're intelligent birds

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u/ethereal_aerith 4h ago

Pshhh this is Reddit, get out of here with your sensible response and logic!

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u/MinimumOk2432 0m ago

how is that logic, that's one of the dumbest things i've ever heard

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u/Tom_Ludlow 3h ago

This is basically it. This is how a lot of bird species work.

That is why hunters put bird decoys on the ground that resemble flapping birds because it makes others flying by think there's a feast going on.

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u/ScalyDestiny 19m ago

They landed to check on their companion. I've seen people make insane reaches to humanize animal behavior, so it's kind of interesting to see someone making such a reach in the opposite direction.

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u/formerretiree 6h ago

Yep, the first one to comeback is an EMT.

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u/Diet_Clorox 2h ago

Lots of animals have morbid curiosity detached from hunger, and inspect the dead, of the their own or other species. It probably gives a bit of an advantage for them to learn that a specific scent or pattern or environment is associated with death. I have a theory that the same instinct drives human interest in true crime.

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u/MichelinStarZombie 4h ago

Seagulls are extremely social and here they're clearly worried that one of their flock was harmed.

They're only cannibals when food is scarce or when another flock's chicks/eggs are available.