Gull

A winter visitor on the Nile with no manners at all. The gull floats about looking innocent until a corn cart comes into view.

What it can do

• Act

  Snatch

  Swoop and take food or a light prop, from the ground or off a table.

• Ability

  Dive

  Tuck the wings and drop from the sky at a target below.

• Ability

  Screech

  A piercing screech that makes people jump and pigeons scatter.

• When it fits

  Float on water

  Settle on the Nile and bob, looking innocent.

• Ultimate

  Corn Heist

  A shrieking raid on the corn seller's cart.

Breeds

• Black-headedFree
• Slender-billedEarned in play
• MediterraneanIn a pack
• CaspianSeason

Breeds are sidegrades: a different coat and a small trade-off, never a stronger animal.

True facts about the real animal

• Many gulls spend the winter on the Nile and the Egyptian coast, then fly north again.
• The black-headed gull's hood is really dark brown, and it disappears in winter.
• Special glands above their eyes let gulls drink salt water.