One of the birds that happens to be synonymous with Maine is the seagull. In slang terms, it has been given several different nicknames, like a rat with wings or a trash chicken. But seagulls in Maine, specifically on beaches and oceanfront towns, seem inescapable. Part of the reason is that seagulls in Maine have just enough access to food and shelter that they simply don't want to leave. While there's food to be had from the vast ocean, seagulls also don't mind a taste of "people" food either. So is it illegal in Maine to actually feed seagulls?

Seagull
Seagull
loading...

No, It is Not Illegal in Maine to Feed Seagulls

In Maine, there is no tangible legislation that makes feeding seagulls illegal in the state. Several years ago, a controversy erupted in Rockland where a woman's persistent feeding of seagulls led to a bird poop situation. Town officials ordered the woman to stop feeding seagulls, leading to an eventual ordinance. That move prompted many to question whether a state law should be enacted prohibiting the feeding of seagulls. Despite plenty of support, such a law was never passed.

Flock of birds standing on parking lot by street light.
steverts
loading...

Is It Illegal in Other States to Feed Seagulls?

Yes. Several other states including South Carolina and California have laws on the books that prohibit people from excessively feeding seagulls. Laws were enacted in those states after sea birds became increasingly aggressive in areas where food was served and/or consumed.

Young Eagle Chick in Nest
predrag1
loading...

Are There Any Laws in Maine Pertaining to Seagulls?

Yes. Hunting seagulls in Maine is prohibited thanks the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In fact, hunting, pursuing, capturing, or killing a seagull is a federal offense and could lead to stiff fines if you're caught in the act. Under the same federal act, it's also illegal to remove or destroy a seagull nest without contacting the property authorities first.


You're Breaking The Law In Maine If You Have Any Of These Animals As Pets

Stick to the cats and dogs that you know because if you're keeping any of these animals (or animals like them) as pets in Maine, you're breaking the law and could face stiff penalties.

LOOK: See America's 50 Best Beach Towns

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

More From 94.3 WCYY