Lesbian Seagulls (Press, 6 December 1977)
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Summary: Lesbian Seagulls (Press, 6 December 1977)
A university research team from the University of California has reported a discovery that approximately 14 per cent of female seagulls on Santa Barbara Island, located off the California coast, are in same-sex relationships. This finding is noted to be the first substantial evidence of widespread homosexual behaviour among wild birds. The research, led by Dr George Hunt and his wife Molly, involved the observation of 1,200 pairs of western seagulls over a three-year period. The study revealed that some female gulls adopt male roles and form stable unions similar to heterosexual pairs, engaging in mating behaviours, laying sterile eggs, and defending their nests. Interestingly, no evidence of homosexuality among male seagulls was identified during the research. Dr Hunt expressed astonishment at this unexpected discovery, stating that it was not something they anticipated before the study. The findings were published in the journal “Science," which is associated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The Hunts are keen to explore any potential environmental factors that could be influencing this behaviour. In parallel, another research team from the University of Washington, led by Dr Donald Farner, is examining the gull population on the same island, where a shortage of male birds may correlate with the prevalence of female same-sex pairings. Dr Farner's team is also analysing blood samples from the female gulls to assess hormone levels and determine if they fall within normal ranges. The research investigation evolved from an initial study focusing on parental qualities among gulls, during which the Hunts noticed that nests contained an unusually high number of eggs—exceeding the typical three laid by a female. Initially suspecting that some females might have been laying eggs in other birds' nests, they ultimately discovered that most instead originated from pairs of female gulls. To support their ongoing research, the National Science Foundation has awarded the Hunts and the Farner team a grant of $55,000. This funding will facilitate further studies to understand the implications of the findings and explore the dynamics of these same-sex relationships among seagulls.
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