In a world of ultra-polished talent shows, one European contest is proving that chaos – and a very convincing squawk – might be far more entertaining.
On Sunday April 26, the quiet Belgian seaside town of De Panne erupted with shrieks, feathers and applause as dozens of competitors gathered for the annual European Seagull Screeching Championship: a delightfully bizarre event that’s rapidly gaining global attention.
The strangest talent show you’ve never heard of
Forget singing or dancing: here, success depends on how accurately you can mimic the piercing cry of a seagull.
More than 70 contestants from 15 countries took part in this year’s championship, transforming a local pub into a stage for one of Europe’s most unusual competitions.
Participants of all ages, from young children to seasoned performers, took turns screeching, flapping and fully embodying the seabird spirit. Many leaned into the theatrics, arriving in elaborate seagull-themed costumes, complete with wings, feathers and dramatic stage presence.
And yes, it’s taken very seriously.
How do you judge a seagull impression?
A panel of judges scores each performance based on two key criteria: how realistic the sound is and how convincing the performance feels.
Contestants can earn up to 15 points for vocal accuracy and an additional five for showmanship… meaning a truly winning performance requires both pitch-perfect screeching and full-bodied commitment.
The result? A mix of hilarity, impressive skill and moments where you genuinely can’t tell if it’s a human… or an actual bird.
Why this competition even exists
While it might look like pure comedy, the championship has a surprisingly wholesome goal.
Organisers created the event to change public perception of seagulls, which are often seen as pests: stealing food, making noise and causing chaos in coastal towns.
Instead, the competition encourages people to appreciate their behaviour, intelligence and unmistakable presence by the sea.
As organiser Claude Willaert explained, the sound of seagulls is deeply tied to memories of holidays and the coast, something the event aims to celebrate rather than criticise.
Costumes, chaos – and serious talent
Despite its quirky premise, the championship has become a fully-fledged annual tradition, now in its sixth edition.
Crowds cheer loudly for each performance, turning every screech into a mini spectacle. Families compete together, seasoned contestants return year after year, and newcomers attempt to outdo viral-worthy performances from previous editions.
And some competitors are genuinely extraordinary, able to replicate multiple types of gull calls with eerie precision.
From niche contest to viral moment
What started as a small local event is now attracting international attention – and it’s easy to see why.
In an era of highly curated content, the raw, absurd joy of watching people fully commit to acting like seagulls feels refreshingly unfiltered. Videos from the event regularly circulate online, racking up views for their sheer unpredictability.
It’s silly. It’s chaotic. And it’s oddly impressive.
But most of all, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best kind of entertainment doesn’t take itself too seriousl,— even if the competitors absolutely do.
