LONG BEACH, Wash. — Washington and Oregon state agencies are investigating after receiving reports of at least 10 oiled birds on the Pacific coast.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said it started receiving reports of oiled sea birds Sunday. As of Tuesday afternoon, rescue personnel have recovered four oiled common murres and two dead oiled common murres in Washington. Personnel have recovered four oiled birds and taken them to rehabilitation facilities in Oregon, according to Oregon Fish and Wildlife.
The birds were found between Long Beach and Lincoln City, Oregon.
State officials are working to identify the source of the oil. WDFW has received reports of tar balls, which are little pieces of oil, in Ilwaco and Seaview. Tar balls can either be remnants of an oil spill or produced from natural seeps, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Oil can cause bird feathers to mat, separate and lose their waterproofing, according to NOAA. The substance could make it harder for birds to fly or be buoyant in water. Birds can also get sick from ingesting oil while cleaning their feathers.
As part of a coordinated response between WDFW, NOAA and other partner agencies, officials are conducting flights, beach surveys and shoreline assessments to find evidence of oil or oiled wildlife.
Professionally trained contractors will recover oiled birds as reports come in, WDFW said. The birds must be stabilized before they can be cleaned. The public should not try to pick up the birds, as it could endanger both people and wildlife.
"Birds are often very stressed as a result of being oiled," a WDFW spokesperson said in an email. "This is part of the reason we ask the public not to attempt to capture oiled wildlife, as it may increase the stressors on the animal."
Potentially oiled birds can be reported to 1-800-22-BIRDS (1-800-222-4737).