mikebaird Heermann's Gull

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. –Dragan Djuric and his wife, from Wichita, Kansas, were walking along the boardwalk at the Main Beach in Laguna Beach. They were eating ice cream when they were attacked by a flock of birds according to Sgt. Jeff Calvert. Djuric's wife was hit on the head by one bird and Djuric was defecated on. According to Sgt. Calvert the couple dropped their ice cream and Djuric began hitting the birds with a stick. One of the birds suffered a broken wing and had to be euthanized. Unfortunately the bird was a rare Heermann's gull. Djuric was cited on suspicion of animal cruelty. The Heermann's Gull is a unique bird found along the Pacific Coast. They are a very aggressive bird and will even steal fish out of the pouches of Brown Pelicans and will chase other birds to steal their prey. They are on the Audubon Society's watch list for birds that are at risk. The population of Heermann's gulls is estimated at 525,000.