Imitation Contest on Breeding Grounds of Black-Tailed Gulls; Kabushima Festival in Aomori Pref. Attracts Tourists with Unique Competition

The Yomiuri Shimbun

11:36 JST, May 8, 2024

HACHINOHE, Aomori — The Kabushima Festival was held on Kabushima Island in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, known as a breeding ground for black-tailed gulls, and attracted many tourists on April 20.

As the black-tailed gulls flew around in the blue sky, the annual contest to imitate the birds’ call was held on a special stage. Nine groups participated in the contest, and children who performed cute imitations and contestants who sounded just like the real thing were applauded.

The winner, a 15-year-old high school student from Hachinohe, said, “I was happy to be able to perform the call of a black-tailed gull surrounded by them in my favorite place, Kabushima Island.”