Here the Tern is seen hanging limply from the gull's mouth. It did not struggle at all after being caught. It may have broken its neck when its forward momentum was abruptly stopped by the gull or the gull may have used it's beak to crush the bird to death immediately upon capture.
- Here the Tern is seen hanging limply from the gull's mouth. It did not struggle at all after being caught. It may have broken its neck when its forward momentum was abruptly stopped by the gull or the gull may have used it's beak to crush the bird to death immediately upon capture.
- To the upper left of the gull, another Common Tern can be seen. Several Terns tried to harass the Gull by swooping close as it ate, but the big gull was entirely unconcerned with them as it concentrated on the task at hand.
- Another Tern buzzes the gull as it begins the process of swallowing the Tern.
- The gull flapped its wings as it began to swallow the Tern in order to help reposition it and help force it into its throat.
- This picture show just how much the gull can distend its throat in order to swallow large prey. It is reminiscent of a pelican or a snake.
- Shown from behind, the distention of the gull's neck is visible from a different angle.
- Once again using a flapping motion of its wings to aid in swallowing the Tern which would have measured about a foot in length with a wingspan of more than twice that if it was a juvenile.
- After it finished its meal. the Gull became quite interested in the harassing Terns, watching them approach and snapping at them as they passed. The Terns maintained a safe distance of 2-3 feet from the Gull as they swooped over it.
- Sitting on the water as if nothing had happened, the gull gives no evidence that it just swallowed such a large bird.
- A minute or so after completing it's meal, the Great Black-backed Gull took wing and flew off.
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