the birds from becoming chilled, but also in the case of solvent cleaning, 

 reduces exposure to the toxic cleaner. 



After the drying process, bird handling procedures vary with the type 

 of cleaning agent. Birds cleaned in solvent are quite intoxicated from the 

 effects of the cleaner and require a few hours to recover in safe, well-padded 

 pens. Detergent-cleaned birds, however, do not suffer these effects, but 

 should be left alone in warm pens with plenty of food and water before being 

 handled further. 



SWIMMING 



After the birds are clean, dry, and rested, they can begin swimming in 

 preparation for release. Some further cleaning of water-soluble stains or 

 detergent residues occurs as the birds swim, but more importantly, they will 

 start to preen their feathers back into the alignment necessary to keep water 

 out and warm insulating air in. This, rather than moult or the replenishment 

 of natural oils, is all that properly cleaned birds need to become waterproof 

 and releasable. As long as the plumage has not been too disrupted by viscous 

 oil, particulate matter, or mishandling, the birds should become waterproof 

 within a very short time of being cleaned. 



The best type of pool for a rehabilitation effort is a small --2. 4 to 

 3.6 m (8 to 12 ft)--plastic-lined swimming pool, with a water depth of 30 

 to 46 cm (12 to 18 in). A filter system and attachments for skimming the 

 surface and vacuuming the bottom are needed to keep the water sufficiently 

 clean. The number of pools needed to provide each bird adequate swimming 

 time varies with the number of birds on hand, their rate of progress in becom- 

 ing waterproof, and other factors. 



At first, birds may be able to stay in the pools for only a few minutes 

 before becoming too wet and cold to swim more. They are then transferred 

 to warm pens, where they usually preen. After they are dry and warm, within 

 approximately 2 to 4 h, they are returned to the pools. 



Birds are encouraged to swim as frequently as possible, but must be given 

 time between swims to rest and feed so that they do not become exhausted. 

 Swimming birds require constant observation and frequent handling, and it 

 is often quite difficult to judge how much swimming they can and should be 

 allowed during the course of a day. 



RELEASE CRITERIA 



Ideally, each bird should become increasingly waterproof with each swim, 

 provided that it has been thoroughly cleaned and is actively preening. After 

 the plumage is waterproof (i.e., the down remains fluffy and the contour 

 feathers resist water despite prolonged swimming), the bird should be considered 

 for release. In addition to having waterproofing status, a bird must be in 

 a physical condition sufficient for its survival in the wild. Feet, legs, 

 and wings must be without injury or damage, and the bird must be active, alert, 

 and of adequate body weight prior to release. Pelagic birds are tested for 

 for salt tolerance before their release since their ability to utilize salt 

 may be depressed by oil ingestion or rehabilitation on fresh water. 



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