Kannibalisme bij de Kleine Mantelmeeuw Larus fuscus op Texel: een gedocumenteerd geval

Cannibalism is a well-known feature in high density gull colonies around the world. At Texel, cannibalism among Lesser Black-backed Gulls (>60% in some years) is the main reason why the reproductive success is often low. Three types of cannibalism occur: specialist cannibalistic birds, opportunistic cannibalism (e.g. during disturbance of the colony) and structural cannibalism, when a large number of adults in engaged in frequent attacks of chicks everywhere in the colony. A complete kill of a presumed cannibalistic specialist is photographed and described here, with a chick begging for food from the onset of the event.