what is scuttle in the little mermaid

Scuttle is a character in the Disney movie "The Little Mermaid" and is a seagull and friend of Ariel. In the live-action remake of the movie, Scuttles character design was changed to a Northern gannet instead of a seagull. The decision to change Scuttle's species was made to elevate Ariel's narrative and create a more impactful moment when she breaches the water's edge. Scuttle's new design as a sea-diving bird allows Ariel to meet him in the water and obtain information about the surface, altering their routine meetings. In the live-action remake, Scuttle is played by Awkwafina.