Seagull

Do you think if the background is distracting. If it was blurred out

would the picture be better?

I do think if you could have blurred the background with a shallower depth of field it would be more effective. Still a good shot. Maybe also burn the background a bit??

I think there needs to be more separation of bird and background, either by blurring the background or darkening it. I would also like the bird's feet entirely in the shot, too. Were they there before you cropped or missed altogether? Your lighting is good and you have detail in the white of the bird.