Dozens of Baby Gulls Rescued After Falling From Hotel Roof Near Navy Pier. Adult Gulls Fingered as Culprits

Rescued gulls being cared for at Willowbrook Wildlife Center, a rehab facility run by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. (Willowbrook Wildlife Center / Facebook)Rescued gulls being cared for at Willowbrook Wildlife Center, a rehab facility run by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. (Willowbrook Wildlife Center / Facebook)

Dozens of baby gulls have been rescued after falling from the roof of a hotel near Navy Pier, but as many have also been found dead, the likely culprit being other gulls, according to Chicago Bird Collision Monitors.

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More than 50 of the recovered baby ring-billed gulls were admitted to Willowbrook Wildlife Center shortly after July 4, and many subsequently died, the center posted to social media.

While the cause of the incidents is uncertain, bird monitors said the gull colony is probably stressed in some way, either from lack of food, not enough room on the roof or extreme heat. The babies are either leaping or being thrown over by adult gulls. A similar situation occurred in 2018, bird monitors noted.

People are advised not to intervene, other than responding to the injured, as the situation is a matter of nature taking its course. To report an injured bird, call 773-988-1867. 


Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]

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