How to tell if a seagull is going to steal your food

Seagulls may be less likely to steal your chips if on their own, a new study suggests - (Pexels/Opal Lua)

A seagull eyeing your lunch or ice cream is unlikely to try to steal it if not part of a flock, scientists have found.

Due to an instinct known as neophobia, which means a fear of the unknown, scientists have discovered that herring gulls are mostly reluctant to attack when on their own.