I have written about how aggressive the Gulls can be. They may steal more food than they actually catch. Here I caught these thieves in the act.

These Pelican did all the work, and now two Gulls moved in for the steal. Below actually standing on top of the Pelican.

After a dive the Pelican will have a full pouch of water, maybe 2 gallons. Before eating the fish they open their beak and drain the sea water. That’s when a Gull makes his move.

Fish may slip out, or the Gull will reach right in and snatch whatever the Pelican may have.

You must give them their due, they are really a master thief.