Chapters 2.5
2.5 Gulls
Jenna Gratton , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Gratton ,J. (2022) Birds. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Background
Gulls (Larinae), also known as seagulls, are webfooted birds typically found near water (Howell & Dunn, 2007). These birds connect to Indigenous cultures in many ways, such as collecting the bird's eggs and using their skin and feathers for decoration (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). This paper aims to educate Canadians about gulls, their history, and what they have to offer.
Bird and Species Information
Species of gulls are identified through their voices, moults, distribution, and migration (Olsen, 2003). Generally, gulls are large, approachable, and often slow flyers (Grant, 1982). There are several species of gulls around the world. Focusing on Canada, major species include herring gull, great black-backed gull, and ring-billed gull (Eastern Canada Common Gull Identification, 2018).
A herring gull (Larus argentatus) is shown in figure 1. They are around 55-67cm long, with a wingspan of 125-155cm. Herring gulls have fierce looks, squared-shaped heads, heavy bills, beady eyes, long wings, and a full body (Olsen, 2003). The great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) is shown in figure 2. They are generally larger and bulkier than the herring gull, although proportionally, has smaller wings and legs. The shorter wings are the reason for the great black-backed gull's heavy and awkward flight (Grant, 1982). The ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) is shown in figure 3. They are relatively large and have a heavy body, thick bills, and pale iris. In addition, they have slightly longer legs which is a factor in this gull's clumsiness (Grant, 1982).
Geographic Origins
Gulls are migrating birds meaning they travel all over the country, in fact, over most of the world (Birds of The World, n.d). In North America, there are specific locations where gulls are located year-round, during breeding season, migration, and winter (Figure 4.0). During the breeding season, gulls live north. During Migration season, gulls are scattered across North America, focusing more southwest. In the winter, gulls fly south, and year-round, gulls live east. Due to the extensive range of areas, seagulls are very well-known to Canadians.
Associated Indigenous Peoples and Historical Background
In British Columbia, the Haida traditionally occupied the coastal bays and inlets (Miller, 2018). The Haida are an Indigenous community who traditionally use gulls. The Haida peoples found that gull feathers were an ideal source of product for stuffing pillows. Beyond the use of feathers, gulls were also used for making gorges (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). There are few techniques, and cultural practices concerning gulls that Indigenous groups practice, though stuffing pillows and making gorges are some of them. When studying their traditional foods, it is essential to recognize these impacts on their communities.
Huna Tlingit in Glacier Bay National Park, located near Juneau, Alaska, signals the cultural importance of collecting gull eggs. Little is known about the use of seabirds in southeast Alaska, but it has been discovered that there are long-term sustainable uses for collecting gull eggs (Moss, 2007). Indigenous communities acknowledge gull eggs as a symbol of seasonal change, calling for a time of celebration. Families will gather to enjoy the collection of eggs on offshore islands (Moss, 2007).
Cultural Uses
Seagulls are not a food source for most people, but they have many other important uses. Seagulls' skin is well-used in clothing and bags. Their bones are used for needles, tubes, and whistles. Indigenous groups have cultural importance tied to gulls. Huna Tlingit signals cultural significance in collecting gull eggs (Moss, 2007).
Wainwright is a subsistence village in Arctic Alaska. Many residents in this village are Inupiat Eskimos (History, 2019). When hunting, Wainwright would make gorges (which are hunting tools similar to fish hooks) by using pointed bones and sticks and then wrapping them in fat. They would do this to attract gulls, then catch them using this hook (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017).
Gulls were also used in hunting settings as a lure to other species. For example, the Mew gull (Larus canus) was used to help locate walrus herds. Hunters would mimic the gull cry while flocks flew overhead, leading the hunters to walruses to hunt (Kuhnlein and Humphries). Gulls were significant to Indigenous culture in this scenario as although the bird was not necessary as a food source, they could guide hunters to significant food sources to feed their community.
Limitations
Gulls are migratory birds and can be found throughout Canada. They tend to nest in fragile ecosystems on the lakeside. For this reason, gulls have become part of the protected birds in Canada. Regularly hunting seagulls would put the species at high risk. Under certain circumstances, gulls can be hunted, which requires legal permission. Municipalities use non-lethal or lethal solutions to manage the gull populations in situations where it is getting under control to protect the health and safety of communities. (Dowd, 2019).
Most Black-backed and Herring gulls have become very used to living around humans. They are commonly recognized as neusences. They cause health risks to humans. Gulls quickly spread bacteria. Gulls also portray aggressive behaviour during nesting season (Dowd, 2019).
References
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