Differences between Seagull and Thrush

Seagull and Thrush are two classes of birds that belong to the Laridae and Turdidae families respectively.

Seagull is the vernacular form for the bird Gull. Known to be clever, these birds are mostly large in size with grey or white plumage. They have big black marks on their head and wings. Their beaks are usually yellow in color with a red spot and a hook at the tip. Bigger Seagulls have pink legs, while the smaller ones have red or black legs. The birds have webbed feet. There are over 40 species of Gulls across the world.

Thrush is a small and stout song bird. It has a large round head, pointed bill, short tail, and soft plumage. Its eyes are usually large with eye rings. The legs are long and sturdy, while the toes are flexible for perching. The bird’s skin is generally reddish brown on the back and white on the belly with spots or stripes. The color varies for different species. There are about 170 species of Thrushes. Wood Thrush, Blackbird, American Robin, Song Thrush, Ground Thrush, Hermit Thrush, and Himalayan Forest Thrush are some of them.

Where are Seagull and Thrush found?

Gulls are water birds. They are typically found near coasts, especially during summers. However, they have become common even at inland waterways like rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. They can adapt to any region as long as there are food sources there. Consequently, Gulls are visible even inside cities and towns. Gulls exist everywhere in the world. They have been found even near Antarctica and the Arctic.

Thrushes live in forests and places with tall trees, damp soil, foliage filled grounds, and streams. They also live near human dwellings provided there are tall trees, vegetation, and water sources in the vicinity. Thrushes can be found in North Africa, southern Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Canada, and parts of America.

What do Seagull and Thrush eat?

The natural diet of Gulls includes fish and other aquatic animals. Besides, it includes land animals like insects, worms, mice, and reptiles. However, Gulls are scavenging birds and can eat just about anything. They have been observed eating fruits, vegetables, and even chips, bread, and spaghetti. Gulls are one of the very few birds that can drink both salt and fresh water. The salt ducts and glands in their beaks act as desalination filters and help the birds to pass up excess salt.

Thrushes are omnivorous birds. They hop and run looking for food on the ground. They eat snails, earthworms, grasshoppers, spiders, beetles, wasps, slugs, larvae, insects, invertebrates, fruits, and cherries.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Seagull and Thrush

• Seagull do eat Fish while Thrush may not eat Fish.
• Both Seagull and Thrush eat Frogs.
• Both Seagull and Thrush eat Lizards.
• Seagull do eat Snakes while Thrush may not eat Snakes.
• Seagull do eat Turtles while Thrush may not eat Turtles.
• Seagull do eat Squirrels while Thrush may not eat Squirrels.
• Gophers are commonly eaten by Seagull while Thrush do not eat Gophers.
• Baby Ducks are commonly eaten by Seagull while Thrush do not eat Baby Ducks.
• Seagull do eat Mice while Thrush may not eat Mice.

Size of Seagull and Thrush?

When it comes to size, The size of Gulls depends on the species. The smaller ones are generally about one foot long, while the larger ones could measure about 1.5 feet. The average wingspan of the birds is 2.9-3.3 feet.. Depending on the species, Thrushes are five to 12 inches long with a wingspan of 12-16 inches. Mistle Thrush is one of the largest Thrush species. It is 11.41 inches long.

The weight of Gulls varies drastically for different species. The Little Gull weighs just about 4.2 ounces. On the other hand, the Great Black-beaked Gull weighs 3.8 pounds. while The average weight of Thrushes is 1.52 ounces. Song Thrush is one of the heaviest among Thrush species. It weighs 1.76-3.77 ounces.

Where do Seagull and Thrush nest?

Gulls build their nests in their habitats. It could be at cliffs, coasts, islands, trees, and rooftops as long as they are safe, have food sources nearby, and inaccessible to predators. The nests are built using grass, twigs, and plant material. The eggs take about three weeks to hatch. The young ones are active and fledge when they are five to six weeks old.

Thrushes build their nests in trees and bushes, sometimes even on the ground or below shrubs and tall trees. The nests are meticulously constructed with sticks, grass, leaves, and moss. The materials are neatly bound using dung or mud to create perfect structures. It is usually the female Thrush that builds the nest. She takes about three weeks to complete the task. The nest are used for multiple broods. Thrush eggs are glossy blue with a smooth texture. The eggs of few species could have brown speckles. The mother bird incubates the eggs for about two weeks, after which they hatch. The responsibility of feeding the young ones is shared between the parents. The chicks are ready to fledge when they are two weeks old.

How long do Seagull and Thrush live?

Gulls have a short lifespan. They live for 8-20 years in the wild. The longest-lived Gull was from Denmark and lived for 33 years and eight months.

The average lifespan of Thrushes is two to 12 years. American Robin has the shortest life expectancy of two years, while Wood Thrush is known to have the longest lifespan of eight years. The longest-lived Thrush bird was a Swainson’s Thrush. It was 12 years and one month old when it was caught for banding in 2006 in Montana, USA.

Are Seagull or Thrush migratory birds?

Gulls are generally migratory. They move from northern hemispheres during winter to regions where there are abundant food sources. The birds from Canada and North America move to the tip of South America or parts of USA where the temperature is not freezing. The Black-Headed Gull migrates from UK to southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Similarly, Gulls migrate from China to Thailand, and from Russia and Siberia to the Indian subcontinent. Some Gulls living on French and Spanish coasts and other warmer regions do not migrate. Additionally, Gulls that have settled in cities where they get easy access to food from human refuse, safe nesting places in rooftops, and warmth from buildings may not migrate.

Majority of Thrush species are migratory. Some species like Wood Thrush migrate twice a year. Birds of this species travel long distances, crossing the Gulf of Mexico in one night. Redwing Thrush migrates southward from the east coast of UK. Some species from Scandinavia travel to the UK, while some of them relocate from UK to Spain and north Africa. In America, the species living in coasts move towards Mexico and Central America in winters. Thrush species living in inlands will spend the winter in South America. Thrushes from northeast Europe migrate to north and south Africa. Asian species such as Eyebrowed Thrush migrate from China, Japan, and Korea to Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. The Himalayan Thrush relocates from the Himalayas during winters to the western ghats in India.

Do Seagull and Thrush fly in flocks?

A flock of Gulls is called a squabble, screech, scavenging, or colony. Gulls live in groups, consisting of a few birds or even up to a thousand. They unite to drive away predators. Besides, they adopt different body language and sounds to communicate with each other. Gulls stay with their flocks almost throughout the year.

A group of Thrushes is known as mutation. Most species are predominantly solitary birds. They may form small groups of 50 for roosting and feeding if there is abundant food in the vicinity. Some species may forage with their family in summers. However, Thrushes are highly territorial in nature, defending their territories year after year.

Are Seagull or Thrush protected?

Seagulls, their nests, and eggs are protected under various laws across the world. Harming these in any way is considered a punishable offence.

Thrushes are protected in some parts of the world, such as the UK, France, Canada, India, and Australia. Killing or capturing them is against the law in these countries.

Are Seagull or Thrush endangered?

Some species of Gulls are endangered. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Chinese Black-Headed Gull and Relict Gull are vulnerable to extinction, while Heermann’s Gull and White-Eyed Gull are threatened. The population of Glaucous-winged Gull has declined by 50 percent in Georgia Basin, while the numbers of Gulls in Canada and the UK are also falling drastically. This has been attributed to loss of habitat, pollutants, and poor food quality.

Thrushes are largely not endangered birds. However, Taita Thrush is a species that is listed as endangered. A very small population of them exist in Kenya. Principe Thrush is another endangered species that is endemic to Principe, Italy. Spotted Ground Thrush is also considered to be endangered. Meanwhile, the population of certain species like Song Thrush, Bicknell’s Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, and Laughing Thrush is reducing drastically due to scarcity of food, loss of habitat, and predator threats. Grand Cayman Thrush, Bonin Thrush, and Kamao Thrush are the extinct species.

Can Seagull and Thrush fly?

Gulls are highly skilled in flying. They have expert control on wind and thermals, and can execute complex manoeuvres. They can fly at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. The birds fly extremely long distances during migration. Gulls are capable of flying during the night as well. When there are changes in air pressure due to an oncoming storm or earthquake, Gulls gather in circles to regulate their focus and balance.

Thrushes are amazing avian birds. They have sprawling wingspan for excellent aerodynamics. The birds spread out their wings and tail, and tuck in their legs during flight. The flying speed of Thrushes depends on the species. The average speed is 30-50 miles an hour. Most species fly long distances during migration. Wood Thrushes travel over 2,000 miles on a single way, covering more than 311 miles in a day.

Can Seagull and Thrush swim?

Gulls are also adept swimmers. They can live comfortably both on land and water. They have webbed feet and can swim well both in sea and fresh waters. However, they do not swim too far in the seas. They usually swim in search of food.

Thrushes are not water birds. They have clawed feet for perching. The birds are not known to swim. They bathe in small puddles.

Mating patterns among Seagull and Thrush

Gulls start mating when they are about four years old. The heads of the Gulls are in pure white, black, brown, or gray color in the breeding season. They are known to mate both inland and on coasts, however copulation occurs on land at breeding sites. The courtship involves complex dances, rituals, and articulations. The Gulls mate until the female can lay an egg. They build their nests in colonies. Both male and female partners incubate the eggs for about 30 days.

Thrushes attain sexual maturity when they are one to two years old, subject to the type of species. At the arrival of the mating season, the male bird chooses a breeding site. He perches there, singing loudly to attract a mate. When the female favors a male and the nesting site he has chosen, she engages in courtship. The partners fly, sing, and feed together while perching intermittently. The female Thrush lays three to five eggs in a clutch, one egg each day. Some species may have more than one brood in a year. While the female builds the nest and incubates the eggs, she gets the support of the male in feeding the young ones.

When is the mating season for Seagull and Thrush ?

The breeding season for Gulls is usually March-July every year. The birds gather at breeding colonies few weeks before the onset of the season.

The mating season for Thrushes occurs differently based on the species and geography. The duration is usually March-August.

Do Seagull and Thrush mate for life?

Gulls are monogamous and stay with the same partner throughout their lives. They even return to the same breeding site every time.

Thrushes are monogamous for the particular breeding season. Most birds stay loyal during the period. However, extra-pair copulation has been observed.

How do Seagull and Thrush sleep?

Gulls generally sleep during the night. However, they are scavengers and are known to be awake and flying even in the night. In natural habitats, they sleep on beaches, rivers, and lakes. The city-dwellers sleep in parks and rooftops. Gulls usually roost in groups to stay safe from predators.

Thrushes are not sociable birds. They do not often roost in groups. They prefer to sleep amidst dense vegetation. During the breeding season, female birds usually sleep at the nest.

Can Seagull and Thrush be eaten?

Gulls were consumed in the past by Inuit, Alaskan, Hare, and other cultures for survival. The meat of the birds is not considered appetizing. Further, it is illegal to hunt and eat Gulls under modern laws.

The meat of Thrush birds was commonly consumed in Europe in earlier years. Thrush meat cuisines from Italy, France, Ireland, and Belgium are documented. However, the birds are not widely eaten in modern times.

Can you hunt Seagull or Thrush?

Cultures in the northern hemisphere have hunted Seagulls in large numbers in bygone times. Some cultures have killed the birds for food. However, Gulls are not permitted to be hunted under existing laws.

Thrushes are hunted for sport or caught with nets in several parts of the world. There are not adequate laws to protect the birds. Countries like France, USA, and Canada prohibit hunting of these birds.

Can you feed Seagull or Thrush?

It is illegal to feed Gulls in public in some countries like the USA and Singapore. In countries like the UK, France, and India where feeding Gulls is allowed, the governments request the people to not feed processed food to the birds as it will harm their health. Gulls are scavengers, but it is advised to feed them healthy food like fish, worms, mice, and meat.

People in Australia, New Zealand, France, UK, and USA are known to have feeding stations at their backyards and gardens to attract birds like Thrush. Thrush species are offered cherries, worms, soaked raisins, corn, and fruits.