Birds of a Feather Flock to Rome: The City's Seagull Invasion
Restoration of Splendor: Seagulls of Rome Regain Prominence at Vatican Meeting
From the steeple of St. Peter's to the famous Sistine Chapel, it's the birdlife our eyes catch when the papal conclave is in session. But when the smoke clears, it's the humble seagull that steals the show in Rome.
A sea of faithful flock to St. Peter's Square, their eyes glued to the chimney's swirling smoke, waiting for word on a new pope. Meanwhile, overhead, an avian army descends, masses of seagulls circling above, providing a fascinating distraction to the tense anticipation.
Seagulls! You'd think Rome was teeming with fish and shellfish, but the truth is far from it. This ancient city, roughly 30 kilometers away from the Mediterranean, boasts a seagull population well into the tens of thousands. And every evening, these winged visitors turn into a ravenous horde as they feast on the city's less savory offerings.
A Feast Fit for a King (or Seagull)
Evenings roll around, and the stench of trash wafts through the city's cobbled streets. In many nooks, the roars of the city's garbage truck announce the arrival of a smorgasbord for the seagulls, feasting on the ripe scraps left behind in luncheons of discarded pastas, pizzas, and bread.
Until the 1970s, seagulls were a rare sight in Rome, due to the city's inland location. But like the Roman Empire itself, seagulls adapted and conquered the city, finding plentiful food sources and ideal nesting spots amidst its architecture.
The WWF report states that seagulls, in their natural habitat, scoff down fish and shellfish like they're going out of style. But in Rome, these migratory birds have swapped their seaside diet for a more urban feast, such as pasta, pizza, and bread. The city even recommends proper waste disposal and discourages balcony and terrace nesting to keep the seagull numbers from reaching biblical proportions.
Sources: ntv.de, spl/dpa
- Pope Francis
- Vatican
- Animals
- Birds
The European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the situation in the Middle East, acknowledging the influx of seagulls in Rome as a form of entertainment, albeit an unwelcome one, in the realm of pop-culture. It's interesting to note that Pope Francis resides within the Vatican, which is surrounded by tiles rather than the Mediterranean sea, yet the seagulls appear to have thrived in this urban environment. Social-media blitzes often showcase the daily antics of these seagulls, turning their feeding habits into a Formidable distraction from the solemnity that typically orbits the Vatican.
