CANNON BEACH, OR — Witnesses confirmed Tuesday that a local seagull brazenly stole several French fries from an unattended basket while maintaining prolonged, unblinking eye contact with the victim, clearly signaling that the theft was both intentional and irreversible.
According to onlookers, the seagull landed confidently on the edge of the picnic table before slowly selecting a fry, pausing just long enough to make direct visual contact with the human it was robbing.
“He didn’t rush,” said beachgoer Mark Reynolds, who watched the incident unfold. “That’s what really got me. He wanted me to know this was happening. He wanted me to feel powerless.”
The bird reportedly held the fry in its beak for several seconds without breaking its stare, daring Reynolds to intervene, before calmly backing away and swallowing the fry whole. Sources say the seagull then returned moments later for a second fry, seemingly emboldened by the complete lack of consequences.
“I think the eye contact is the worst part,” Reynolds added. “If he’d just grabbed it and flown off, fine. But this felt personal.”
Experts say the behavior is part of a broader pattern of escalating coastal aggression. Local wildlife officials confirmed that Oregon seagulls have increasingly abandoned stealth tactics in favor of psychological warfare, often relying on intimidation, dominance displays, and a deep understanding of human guilt.
“They know you won’t do anything,” said one biologist. “You’re in their environment, you’re holding food, and deep down you believe this is somehow your fault.”
At press time, the seagull was observed lingering nearby, watching another family unpack their lunch, reportedly “just to see what options were available.”
