Remember that one student/co-worker in your group project who coasted by on the other members actually doing the work? This seagull seems to have a similar idea.
Japanese Twitter user @nakamanian shared a video of what appears to be one seagull hitching a mid-flight ride on the back of their… friend?
“Here’s a scene that you’ll hardly ever see,” the user wrote.
The original video currently has 4.7 million views and nearly 450k likes, as well as garnering an additional 3 million views on a popular repost.
The nine-second clip was shot on a grey, cloudy day with strong winds and two seagulls can be viewed in frame.
One of the seagulls is seen standing comfortably on top, while the other bird tries its best to keep them both afloat, fighting the wind.
At some point, the free-riding seagull perhaps thinks to take on some of the workload as it also extends its wings.
However, the bottom gull appears to grow tired of these antics as it turns around to snap at the other bird, prompting them to separate.
Failed attempt to mate?
While the birds’ antics may look rather comical, this interaction may not be entirely platonic.
According to National Geographic, male seagulls typically stand on the back of a female seagull to indicate that they’re ready to mate.
Interestingly, most male birds don’t have penises. Both males and females have an opening called a ‘cloaca’ which they rub together in an act known as a ‘cloacal kiss’…
I didn’t think this is where this nine-second clip of some seagulls would lead me either but here we are… the more you know!
Read more: Foul-Mouthed Birds Suspended from Wildlife Park for Swearing
