Lesser Black-backed Gull and a American Eel

American Eel Anguilla rostrata  is an interesting fish.  It lives most of its life in fresh in brackish waters and returns to the ocean for spawning.  The American eel is included in the diet of fish-eating birds and mammals.  Gulls have been known to prey on the eels .

Caught it

Coming ashore

I observed a Lesser Black-backed Gull fishing for and catching an eel at Jenney's Pond in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  It took the gull a few attempts to capture the eel .  The eel in length was almost as long as the gull.  It brought it onto the ice and then started to try to eat the eel.  However, the slime coat from the eel seem to be too much for this gull.  At one point, it had to stop and go rinse it's mouth out to get rid of of the slime.  Again, the gull tried to eat the eel, but finally gave up and flew away.  A Ringed-billed gull came over, looked at the eel and left.

I guess I have to lift it

Flying In

Hard to eat

Tough

Slimey

I still cannot bite through the skin

Have Clean my mouth of the slime

Thats better

Well I will return again to the eel

Trying Again

Forget It I am Gone