Geese

In the Pacific Northwest where we live, Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are very common in parks and along the water. This family of goslings (baby geese) and their parents paddled into the marina during our visit.

Geese, and other birds that land on the water, can easily be hurt or killed by spilled oil. When birds come into contact with fresh oil, the oil coats and matts their feathers, causing the feathers to lose their "waterproofing" and insulating ability. (The adult geese shown in the photo have all their primary feathers; however, the goslings have soft, downy feathers that would be extremely sensitive to oil.) When the bird's "raincoat" is destoyed, cold water quickly soaks into the bird's insulating down and reaches its skin. The bird's immediate response is to preen itself, to try to restore its waterproofing, but as it nibbles at its oily feathers, the bird also inhales or swallows toxic compounds that can damage its liver, lungs, kidneys, intestines, and other internal organs. This poisoning can be as lethal as the loss of waterproofing, though slower to take effect, so hypothermia (severe chilling) is generally the actual cause of death.

Oiled birds can also suffer reproductive problems; for instance:

• they may lay fewer eggs.
• fewer eggs might hatch.
• embryos (baby birds forming within the eggs) may have abnormalities.
• cleanup operations may disturb nesting birds, causing them to abandon their nests.

(08.10.04, Edmonds, Washington)