what is scuttle in the new little mermaid

In the live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid," Scuttle is no longer a seagull, but a Northern gannet, a large diving bird. The decision to change Scuttles species was made in order 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. Despite the change in species, Scuttle is still described as a neurotic, dim-witted seabird that thinks of herself as an expert on all things human.