Treatment of oil-soaked birds

Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

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Unitec States Department of the Inter gor DEC 13 i943
{ Mish ent Abalife Service

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Wildlife Teaflet 222

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Washington,

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TREATING, Oc) OLR SOAKSD, BARDS,

By Frecerick ©. Lincoln, “Biologist,, Distributaon and Micration of Burds
Davasaon ot 7 hice ARS Research

The hazard to wildlife caused by oil pollution in coastal and interior
waters has been a serious matter for many years, but the areas affected
have been greatly increased by the sinking of oil-burning and oil-cargo
vessels by enemy action. Ducks, gulls, cormorants, loons, pelicans, and
other seabirds are the most frequent victims. The action of seawater seems
to be such as to change the oil into a tarlike substance, which sticking
the feathers together, makes the bird helpless and unable to fly. A
thoroughly oil-soaked bird is a pitiful sight. Unless it is given human
aid, it is coomec to death by starvation or exposure.

Fumping bilges or bunkers in ballast from oil-burning and oil-cargo
vessels within the territorial waters of the: United States is prohibited
by the O11 Pollution Act of 192)...°This law is administered by the Corps
of Hngineers of the ar Department, and violations should be reported to
the District Sngineer.

Most of the oiled birds that are found along beaches are protected
uncer the terms of the liigratory Bird Treaty Act, which is administered
by the fish and ‘4ldlife Service. Rescue of such birds has the full
approval of the Service, but any verson Cesiring to retain possession of
birds so salvagea for any length of time shoulc apply to the Fish and
Walelafe Service for the permit requirec, at which time full cetails
regerding the case should be given.

THAT. INT

Heavily oiled bircs ere frequently bevond human aid. “hen any are
found in this condition, the best course is usually to cestroy them as
humanely as possible. Many birds, however, can »e restored with care
anc patience. Do not use alcohol, turpentine, kerosene, or gasolene.
such, solvents will burn the bird's skin, A mild white soap -(oreferable
in flake or granulated form), warm water, and persistent application will
usually remove the oil.

LIBRARY
CURRENT SERTAL RECORD

U.S, DEF AR Mi) OF AGRICULTURE

The best. procedure is to whip. up a good sucs in a tub of lukewarm
water and place the bird in it. The oil must be Cissolvec, but this
process can be expeGited by stroking with a sponge or a picce of turkish
towel, Stroke with the feathers to avoid breaking the shafts. If the
birc is badly oiled, repeated washings with fresh suds may be necessary.
“hen all possible oil has been removec, rinse the bird thoroughly with
clear:tepic water and place it in a coop or cage to cry. This should be
ouv of crafts, as a weter-soaked bird can soon be fatally chilled.

The washing, if successful, will not: only remove the minerel oil
but also~the natural oily dressing that gives the bird's plumaze its
weteroroof character. This animal oi] must be restorec before allowing
the bird again to enter the water. This step is most importent.
Accordingly, the treatec bird must be kent caged for severel cevs (usually
about a week) until it has time to Gress its plumage thoroughly with the
oil secreted by the gland at the base of the tail. . Fooc anc crinkinz
water, of course, must be suppliec, A test of the stege of feather
cressing thet the bird has been able to achieve may be mace by sprinkling
a fev drops of weter on its back or by placing it in a shallow pan of
water. If the plumage shows a tencency to absorb weter, the cressing
yrocess is incomplete anc additional time should »e allowed. ‘When the
bird’ has attainec normal conditions, it may be released. on a suitable
uncontaminatec water area.

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