THREE flatmates were horrified to see a seagull swallow a pigeon whole outside their window.

But a wildlife expert said such behaviour is “completely normal”.

Pauline Moss, 19, who lives in Western Road in Hove, was astonished when she spotted the seagull consume a dead pigeon in one go.

She said: “I was shocked when I saw what was happening.

“The pigeons often come and perch outside the kitchen window and recently we noticed a few of them were dying there.

“Then suddenly this seagull was swallowing one whole as I looked out of the window.

“I am a bit worried the seagulls are starting to murder the pigeons.”

Flatmate Louie Rew-Shaw, 22, said he had grown fond of the pigeons since moving there and could not believe the seagulls’ behaviour.

He said: “It was horrendous to see.

“So disheartening to watch because we see the pigeons every day and they have become part of our flat living.

“It’s never nice to see something die.

“It is difficult to understand why the seagulls are doing it.

“There is a chance I guess that the pigeons have just come to this particular spot to die because they are ill or haven’t found a mate.”

Aeden Cormack, 25, who also lives at the flat, said the seagulls’ behaviour was horrible.

He said: “I felt disgusted, shocked and upset when I saw it because I like pigeons.”

But Roger Musselle, of Roger’s Wildlife Rescue in Woodingdean, said the distressing sight is “completely normal”.

He said: “I know it’s not what people like to hear but seagulls are a predatory bird.

“When they are out at sea they worry other birds,and when in the cities it’s pigeons that are their target.

“Seagulls killing young pigeons is quite common.”

Mr Musselle, who has been working with wildlife in the area for about 50 years, described seagulls as “our dustbins for society”.

He said: “In a way it’s quite good they are eating the carcass because it helps clean up.

“Both pigeons and herring gulls are survivors.

“I know it’s distressing to see, but nature can be cruel.”

This time of year seagulls are nesting and can be very territorial according to Mr Musselle.

He said: “Seagulls will fight off anything near their nest.

“They do beat pigeons up and peck them to death if they’re in the way.

“They can really open their throat as well when they want to swallow something whole.”