The Complete Guide To Seagull Statues

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Seagulls are one with the coast. From seeing them fly overhead, hearing them squawk, or having them steal your food, just about everyone who has been to the shore has seen and experienced these majestic birds. And that makes a statue of a seagull, a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to experience the beach at home. That being said here is everything you will want to know about seagull statues!

Meet The Seagull

Seagulls are seabirds that range from medium to large in size. There are actually over 50 distinct species of gulls. However, most people simply refer to them all as “seagulls”, since most species are similar in appearance. Seagulls are usually white or grey in color often with black markings on their heads or wings.

As carnivores, they will eat live food but also scavenge when the opportunity arises. Seagulls are known for being intelligent, noisy, and for being cunning thieves. But most importantly, as a symbol of the coast.

Seagull Statue Sizes

Luckily for seagull fans, because real seagulls are not huge birds, statues of them are quite manageable in size. They range from small statues or figurines that are only a few inches in height to larger life-size seagull statues that feature a seagull with a body that is generally around 10-14” tall. And while not as common, some statues of seagulls may have bodies that are even bigger.

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Statue Materials

As with other types of statues, seagulls are available in a range of different materials. One of the most popular materials is wood. Handcarved and handpainted wooden seagull statues are definitely a favorite for collectors. In particular, many people like to purchase wooden statues that have a distressed appearance.

While they are brand new, these have been painted to look as if they are much older and weathered giving them a rustic or antique look. Another widely used material for statues of seagulls is resin. Resin is lightweight yet durable. Statues made from resin are also known for being highly realistic.

And when hand-painted resin seagulls can sometimes even be confused for a real bird. In addition, resin seagull statues can also be made to look as if they are cast or carved from other materials.

Metal seagulls can also be quite realistic in appearance with detailed painting and textured feathers in addition to being sturdy. In contrast to other animal statues, you won’t see as many seagulls made from stone, or concrete. However, both materials are very durable, with concrete seagull statues being the less expensive of the two.

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Popular Seagull Statue Poses

Statues come in various poses and of course doing all the things that real seagulls might do. You can find seagulls that look as if they are landing, about to take flight, sitting, standing, or even perched and looking as if they are waiting to steal your food (as these intelligent birds are well-known to do).

Some manufacturers offer statues that come in sets with each seagull in a different pose so they can be used to complement each other or to create a natural-looking seagull scene.

Free-Standing Vs. Statues With A Base

Seagull statues may either be free-standing or have a base. Free-standing seagulls stand upright on their own using their two wide webbed feet for stability. Sometimes (particularly with metal seagull statues) the bird’s feet may be connected with a metal loop in order to add extra stability.

Many free-standing options will also come with u-shaped stakes that are placed over the bird’s feet and into the ground. Although some statues may require that you glue the seagull’s feet down if it is used outdoors. Statues with bases will typically come with a base that is heavy enough to keep them upright in strong winds.

Many resin statues have bases that can be filled with sand or gravel to add extra weight if needed as well. The bases are usually beach or ocean-themed. And that means you’ll often see bases that are made to look like wooden dock pilings sometimes complete with details such as nautical rope. Other bases may be made to look like buoys, rocks, sand, etc.

If you prefer a large seagull statue or need something with added height choosing a statue with a base is a good way to go. Another option, which can be a fun project, is to purchase a free-standing statue and create your own base. You can do this using a piece of driftwood or create fake pilings using cut posts or wood along with some nautical rope.

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Where And How To Use

Seagulls are a favorite choice both indoors and out for beach houses, lake houses, or any home or space that is beach, nautical, or coastal-themed. Inside the home, they are often placed on fireplace mantles, or on top of cabinets, shelves, and tables. And because of their manageable size, even life-size statues can usually fit in these areas.

Small seagull statues or figurines are often used in areas with more limited space such as bathroom countertops. Outside the home, many people place their seagull on top of their mailbox, welcome sign, or at the entrance to their driveway. Putting them on top of fence posts, deck railings, or anywhere else a real seagull might land is always a popular choice too.

And if you’re lucky enough to have your own dock, placing it on top of a dock piling could be a fantastic touch. Just remember if you do choose to place your seagull where there could be strong winds or it could be damaged if it were to fall you may want to glue it down using something like construction adhesive, super glue, or Gorilla Glue.

A seagull garden statue would be an ideal choice in any nautical-themed garden, or near the pool, pond, or water feature. And don’t overlook using one or more seagulls as decorations for beach-themed parties or events.

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Caring For Your Seagull Statue

A bit of care can go a long way when it comes to protecting your seagull from potential damage. If you are using your seagull statue outdoors you should consider using an acrylic clear coat spray. This will help to both water and weatherproof it in addition to protecting it from fading due to exposure to strong UV rays (which can be of particular importance near the coast).

The glossy coating that the spray provides also helps to keep statues looking like new. Simply bringing your statue indoors during extreme weather and during the winter months can also really extend its life and looks. When moving or storing your seagull you should take extra care when it comes to the beak, neck, and legs, to help prevent any unnecessary damage as these are often the weakest points of the statue.

Seagull Pals

Collecting seagulls can be addictive. So it can be fun to collect a range of seagull statues in various materials, poses, and even specific gull species. When choosing statues of other birds to use with your seagull, there are quite a few options that work well too. Probably the most popular are pelican statues.

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Pelicans like seagulls are birds that are commonly associated with the ocean and beach life in general. And similar to statues of seagulls, pelican statues often have bases that make them look like they are standing on wooden pilings at the marina or near the water. Statues of other birds that are commonly seen at the shore or in coastal areas such as sandpipers, egrets, herons, and flamingos are also excellent options as well.

And so are statues of other types of marine life like whales, dolphins, fish, sea turtles, etc. There are also many non-animal statues and pieces of décor that are ideal for use with seagull statues like lighthouses, sailboats, anchors, ship wheels, fish netting, and portholes just to name a few.

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