Birds in Danger from the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

The Gulf Coast Oil Spill has put birds in danger of becoming extremely ill, and many have already died. Vivid images of several species of birds stuck and covered in oil, with one bird upside down, struggling and dying, with his feet in the air kicking, were recently shown on national TV. This came right after BP's CEO said the Gulf oil spill is "relatively tiny, compared to the very big ocean..." and that "I'd just like to get my life back," to the ire of many. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal retorted for BP CEO Tony Hayward to "tell that to this bird," referring to a bird as it lay covered in oil, dying. The worldwide media, from the U.K. Independent to the New Zealand Herald reported the remarks made by BP Exec Hayward and the governor's reference to those statements as "idiotic."

Meanwhile, fifteen oil slicked birds had been recently removed from the ocean for clean-up. Two were well enough to be released on June 4^th. The fate of the others was not immediately released. There are a variety of birds affected by this oil spill that are in imminent danger. Although many have migrated to the north to get away from the oil spill, many species are due to return during migration in July, which has bird experts concerned.

Brown Pelican

The Brown Pelican has been one of the birds that have been seen in the horrendous pictures shown of birds virtually stuck in the oil. The Brown Pelican is the only dark pelican of the seven pelican species. It has short legs and a heavy body, which may help explain why it has been seen pretty often as one of the trapped bird species during the Gulf oil spill. The Brown Pelican makes its home along ocean shores and soars around close to the surface of the ocean waters. It is also the only pelican species that plunges from the air directly into the ocean for its food. With the Gulf oil spill killing not only birds, but fish and other Gulf wildlife, not only is the Brown Pelican being trapped in the thick oil sludge, but there is little food in the Gulf of Mexico spill area for the Brown Pelican.

Terns

Terns are beautiful birds, mostly white and look like they are wearing a black cap, as the head is nearly all black. Several varieties of terns are affected by the oil spill in the Gulf. The Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world. It is most easily distinguished from other species by its bold, red beak. The Caspian Tern lives on the Gulf Coast during non-breeding seasons. The Least Tern is the smallest of the American Terns It spends its time on sandy beaches of the southern U.S., migrating inward at times. During the summer breeding seasons, the Least Tern is often found in Gulf Coast areas. The Sandwich Tern, Gull-Billed tern and Royal Tern are also affected by the Gulf Oil Spill.

Herons

Several species of herons, including Egrets, have been affected as a direct result of the Gulf Oil Spill. The Reddish Egret, the Great White Egret, the Little Blue Heron, Black-Crowned Night Heron, Yellow Crowned Heron, and the Tri-Colored Heron are all examples of beautiful birds endangered due to the oil spill. While many of the Egrets and other Herons that make their home along the Gulf Coast are larger, the Little Blue Heron is a unique smaller heron. It's the only species of heron whereas the juvenile and adult species colorings are completely different. A juvenile Blue Heron is all white, and as it matures to adulthood, its color changes to blue.

Other Birds Affected by the Gulf Oil Spill

There are many other species of birds that have and will continue to be affected by the Gulf Oil Spill for a very long time. The habitats and food sources of those birds that do survive are being diminished every day as more fish and wildlife are affected by the Gulf Oil Spill. Birds such as the Willet, Gulls, American Oystercatcher, Plovers and the beautiful White Ibis are just a few examples. The White Ibis is so comfortable making its home along the Gulf Coast shoreline that it can be seen foraging for insects in the front lawns of coastal homes.

We may just see examples of ducks or Brown Pelicans in the media, but there are many other species of birds that are suffering because they have been deeply affected by the Gulf Oil Spill and will be for a very long time.

Sources

allaboutbirds.org/guide

birdnote.org/birdnote.cfm

wwl.com/Jindal-BP-CEO-Hayward-s-statements--idiotic