and those whose body temperature remains low despite supplemental heat and 

 the warm 2- to 5-percent glucose hydrating solution. Abundant bird popula- 

 tions, such as some species of gulls, may be among the first to be euthan- 

 ized when it becomes apparent that not all birds can be treated. Birds of 

 an endangered species and birds having a limited local population are eu- 

 thanized only for humane reasons, when it is apparent they will not survive 

 treatment. A high degree of oiling, initial resistance to self-feeding, or 

 bloody droppings are not reliable indicators of a bird's lessened likelihood 

 of survival, and should not be used routinely as criteria for euthanasia. 



CARE OF OILED BIRDS IN CAPTIVITY 



The care of captive wild birds requires the maintenance of supportive, 

 minimum-stress environment for them. A high level of care is essential to 

 prevent the problems that can develop in debilitated birds, such as inadequate 

 nutrition, dehydration, joint and sternal lesions, cloacal impactions, infectious 

 disease, and a host of other problems. 



Because oiled birds have been stressed prior to capture by oil toxicity 

 and exposure to cold and will be further stressed by the cleaning process, 

 it is essential that workers caring for them be aware of, and attempt to reduce, 

 the stresses associated with captivity. Prolonged stress in birds, as in 

 any animal, will have a number of general and specific deleterious effects 

 on the body, causing heavy mortality. The stresses to captive wild birds 

 include: 



1. Visual stress . The sight of people is very threatening to wild 

 birds, judging from the alarm calls or the escape behavior the 

 sight produces. Birds should be penned in areas where there 



is little human activity, and only the workers specifically 

 involved in their care should approach them. 



2. Loud, startling noises . Loud conversation and noisy activity 

 should be avoided in the areas where birds are penned. 



3. The stress of handling . It is ^jery important that birds be 

 handled only for necessary treatment and care and that otherwise 

 they be left undisturbed. 



4. Extremes in temperature . Because the plumage of oiled birds 

 does not provide them with sufficient insulation, the areas 



in which they are housed must be kept quite warm, at least 21 C 



(70 F) but not higher than 27 C (80 F), if the birds are particularly 



chilled or debilitated. 



5. Artificial cycles of light and dark . When possible, the birds 

 should be kept on a cycle of day and night that is appropriate 

 for the time of year. 



6. Overcrowding . Birds must be given sufficiently roomy pens to 

 allow them to space themselves comfortably (this varies from species 

 to species) and to prevent aggressive interactions. 



7. Nutritional inadequacy . The birds must receive sufficient 

 quantities of fresh, appropriate food, and may require tube- 

 feeding to assure adequate intake. 



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