SEAGULLS have evolved to become elite food snatchers, scientists claim.
The snatching seaside scourges can scan grub from all angles, as their beady eyes are almost in the back of their heads.
The shape of their wings are also perfect for swooping on holidaymakers’ chips, and they even alert their squawking pals to any potential dinners.
Science writer Imaan Moin said: “Their wing shape helps them excel at slow controlled flight and getting away really fast.
“They have 320 degree vision and spot food sources from 50 metres away.
“And when they confirm something is food, they alert other birds to swarm on that food source as well.”
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Ms Moin told the Unexpected Elements podcast their prowess for pilfering comes from gulls having “larger than usual brains for animals of their body size”.
Around 197 species of bird — including magpies, blue jays and crows — are thought to be stealthy swipers.
Prof Paul Graham, a University of Sussex expert in animals’ brains, said: “Gulls didn’t evolve to like chips.
“Over time, they have had to learn to engage with humans in order to source food. It is therefore a sign of intelligence.”
