This site contains information and facts about how seagulls, and birds in general, fly. As far as I know, gulls typically fly down to the surface, flapping their wings all the way as if they were going to land..and kind of do their best to scoop something up … Seagulls are one of the few species of seabirds that can survive drinking salt water, enabling them to venture far out to sea in search of food when necessary. The only bird that can be called a sea gull is the Kittiwake. It takes far less space and time to get airborne if they are already facing into the wind. Kakapos only clumsily glide. Seagulls’ intelligence is clearly demonstrated by a range of different feeding behaviours, such as dropping hard-shelled molluscs onto rocks so that they break open so they can eat them, and following ploughs in fields where they know upturned grubs and other food sources will be plentiful. Gulls, as we know, are very graceful birds, soaring and wheeling on high in the sky. No, seagulls cannot fly bakcwards. As parents, seagulls are attentive and caring, with both involved in incubating the eggs as well as feeding and protecting the chicks until they fledge. As far as any bird it's size can. These Birds Fly Almost a Year Without Landing Data loggers show they almost never touch the ground on their migrations from Europe to Africa and back again. Seagulls also feel far safer in a flock than being alone when they are on the ground. Seagulls don't really fly over water. The gull family are equally at home on land as on the sea. It depends on the bird! It comes ashore to breed then spends the rest of its time far out at sea. How Fast and High Do Birds Fly? the hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards. Most cruise speeds are in the 20-to-30-mph range, with an eider duck having the fastest accurately clocked air speed of about 47 mph. At the other extreme, large birds like albatrosses use updraughts of wind to soar for hours or days without much more effort than just sitting. They glide over thermals. When … These are grown up birds. When a gull is on the ground, it likes to face into the wind to provide a quick take off. The youngsters usually stay close to land, even though they are as big as their parents. Sailors often see seagulls flying more than a hundred miles from the nearest shore. Do gulls fly far out to sea? Generally birds follow the facetious advice often given to pilots -- "fly low and slow." These Birds Can Fly … That is why you usually see them standing (or sitting) in a group. Seagulls are attentive and caring parents. While the information and facts on how gulls fly that I have posted is not all-inclusive, I have done my best to list as much pertinent information and facts that I could find. Ostriches can’t even fly. Thermals are hot air that rises over water. Actually there is no such species simply called a "Seagull", its just a term in common usage by laypeople to refer to any number of different species of Gull.