Worldwide Chook Rescue just lately has seen an uptick in Widespread Murres arriving in vital situation. Since August 15, we have now acquired 68 murres from the higher Bay Space together with 53 from Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties. 57 of those are grownup murres which were arriving severely emaciated, with most displaying indicators of worn, damaged, excessively weathered feathers.
Widespread Murres have been among the many seabird species affected by a California hunger occasion that occurred earlier this yr, and this can be occurring once more. KSBW Motion Information 8 just lately reported on the regarding improve in murres alongside the central coast. [Read the full story]
Altering ocean circumstances can affect the place fish collect and the way accessible they’re to seabirds, making it tougher for them to seek out sufficient meals to outlive. This time of yr, Chook Rescue usually receives giant numbers of orphaned chicks with just a few adults. Nonetheless, this yr, extra adults than chicks are coming into care.
All birds have an annual schedule of substitute for his or her feathers. Seabirds depend on their feather coat for buoyancy, staying heat in ocean water, and the power to swim and fly. If their feathers should not in a position to get replaced on time, they will have issues surviving.
“It’s exhausting to molt when meals is scarce,” stated Dr. Rebecca Duerr, Senior Director of Analysis and Veterinary Science. “Not having the power to develop new feathers is sort of like not having sufficient cash to purchase a brand new wetsuit and having to make use of a ratty previous one with plenty of holes in a chilly ocean. The longer the meals shortage persists, the extra their feathers develop into bleached and worn till they will’t keep waterproof anymore.”
