The recent sighting in Spain of a Great Black-backed Gull with its tongue poking through a hole in its throat [ hence the title!] prompted me to investigate further. It appears that this is not a one off. Antonio Gutierrez sent me a selection of photos of different species with a similar condition. On Flicker theres a photo of a Glaucous Gull with the same thing. Paul Veron in Guernsey has also witnessed it. So what is going on? Is it a congenital defect as suggested by retired vet, Vic Simpson or is it a result of eating a sharp object eg fish hook or whist scavenging on a rubbish tip. Perhaps it is caused by gulls fighting over food as in the bottom photo. Has anyone any other ideas?

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