New study shows googly eyes can stop birds stealing your hard-earned food

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Researchers have discovered that simply adding googly eyes to food packaging can discourage seagulls from stealing meals.

Scientists at the University of Exeter explored this concept to discourage seagulls from stealing food, a common problem in seaside towns with lots of takeaway restaurants.

Eye-like designs make gulls hesitate

A study published in The Conversation revealed that seagulls are less inclined to go for food if the packaging has markings that resemble eyes.

So, I was reading about this study, and it turns out birds actually avoid things with eyes on them! Researchers found that when they put containers with just eye patterns out, the birds were way slower to check them out and much less likely to peck at them compared to plain containers. Basically, it seems like eyes are a natural warning signal for them, kind of like a ‘stay away!’ sign.

This idea comes from studies of how animals act, which often show that direct eye contact can be interpreted as a threat. Gulls, for example, seem more hesitant to eat when they feel like someone is watching them.

Researchers said the trick was observed reducing the chance of seagulls stealing people’s food.

Studies at this university have previously found that gulls are more cautious and take longer to eat when people are watching them.

Although not perfect, simply adding googly eyes to food packaging can significantly decrease the likelihood of seagulls stealing it. A study showed that more than half of 30 gulls avoided takeaway boxes that had eyes on them, compared to those without.

This research suggests an easy and affordable solution to a growing issue in coastal communities, though it doesn’t completely eliminate the possibility of competition for resources.

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2026-03-28 19:48