The Belgian coastal town of De Panne hosted the annual European seagull screeching championship on Sunday. More than 70 contestants from 15 countries took part in the sixth edition of the unusual event. Competitors tried to copy the loud, sharp cry of a seagull as closely as possible.
The contest was held inside a busy local pub, where families, children and experienced performers came to watch. Some people wore seagull-themed costumes to add to the fun. Each screech was greeted with cheers from the crowd, making the event lively and friendly.
Judges gave each performance up to 15 points for sounding like a real seagull. Contestants could also earn five extra points for their stage presence, such as confidence and performance style. The organiser, Claude Willaert, said the event helps people think more positively about seagulls, which are sometimes seen as annoying birds.
In 2024, a young British boy called Cooper won the contest with his impressive screech. Cooper, from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, discovered his talent after a seagull bit him while trying to steal his tuna sandwich. As a fan of Spiderman, he joked that the bite could turn him into “Seagull Boy”.
