At 5:38 pm local Italian time, a gull alit on top of the copper smokestack that was erected atop the Sistine Chapel to direct the smoke of the burned ballots of the Cardinals within, which will also indicate if a Pope has been chosen. (You all know the drill--black means no Pope, white means habemus Papem.)
As of now (5:50 local time) the gull is still there. Next burning of papal ballots is scheduled for 6 pm.
Here's one interpretation of what a gull might symbolize...
"Among seafarers, the seagull was thought to be the soul of a dead sailor, and for this reason it was never shot (remember what happened to the Ancient Mariner). A gull that settled on a ship’s rigging or gunwale was considered an omen for a happy journey."
Update: Gull is still there at 6:06. Long time for a gull to park itself anywhere, especially on so precarious a perch (the cap of the smokestack slopes down on all sides).
10:14 AM PT: Update 6:11 pm Italian time: The day's voting was to have been completed, the ballots burned and the smoke-signal issued by 6 pm. Since the smoke is overdue, does this mean last minute wrangling/electioneering/deal-making might indicate a new pope is imminent?
By the way, the gull is still there. Darkness is descending in Rome.
10:16 AM PT: The gull is gone!