Bewildered bird falls in love with its own reflection

A seagull pecking at its own reflection on a tinted-glass door of a disused factory in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A bewildered bird has entered into a very one-sided relationship after falling in love with its own reflection.

The narcissistic seagull has taken up residence at an abandoned building on Omahi St in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington.

Carolyn Mitchell, owner of nearby business The Pantry, said the seagull has been there for the last two days, tapping at its reflection all day long.

Ms Mitchell said at first she thought the seagull might have had a mate trapped in the abandoned building.

"But then we realised no, he's actually seeing his reflection, and it is like he thinks it's a mate and he is actually trying to get food in there."

The bird had also begun to gather things to build a nest, Ms Mitchell said.

It sounded as though the seagull was in love with itself, Auckland Zoo's birds team leader Todd Jenkinson said.

"If he's building a nest then potentially he thinks he has found a mate," Mr Jenkinson said.

"If a seagull has an intruder in their habitat then they wouldn't be comfortable enough to fly away and gather things for a nest."

Unfortunately the bird probably does not have the brain capacity to clue up and realise its 'mate' is its reflection, Mr Jenkinson said.

Its next move will depend on whether the seagull is a male or female.

"If it is male and building a nest and then the 'mate' doesn't lay any eggs, then it might realise it's hopeless and move on.

"But if it is a female it might even sit on eggs. You find single females in captivity lay eggs ... regardless of whether they are being mated or not."