Competitors flock to sixth Seagull Screeching Championship as Europe’s strangest contest returns

The Belgian coastal town of De Panne recently became the unlikely stage for the annual European seagull screeching championship, where more than 70 contestants gathered to perfect their imitation of the bird's distinctive shriek. On Sunday, participants from 15 countries converged for the sixth edition of this unique competition.

Held within the lively confines of a local pub, the event attracted a diverse array of attendees, from families with young children to seasoned competitors, many of whom embraced the spirit by sporting seagull-themed costumes. Each attempt at mimicking the seabird's call was met with enthusiastic cheers from the appreciative crowd.

A panel of judges meticulously scored each performance, allocating up to 15 points for the fidelity of the seagull sound and an additional five points for the competitor's stage presence. This quirky tradition, now firmly established, seeks to transform the public image of seagulls, which are often perceived as bothersome.

Claude Willaert, the event’s organiser, underscored this positive message. "When you are on holiday, you always remember the waves of the sea and the calls of the seagulls," he remarked. "So be positive about them."

In 2024, a young British boy named Cooper won the contest after proving he could screech better than even some seagulls.

Cooper, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, discovered his talent after being bitten by a seagull who had taken a fancy to the tuna sandwich he was eating.

A big Spiderman fan, Cooper concluded this would enable him to become “Seagull Boy” in the way that Peter Parker became a spindly superhero after a spider bite.

However, his mum admitted that his squawk has taken some getting used to, but the family were ultimately happy to support Cooper because of his undeniable talent.

“People would start to turn around and look for the seagull,” she said.

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