Sick Kittiwake

[Andestine]

Hello

I found a (Black-legged) Kittiwake - Rissa tridactyla standing alone on a beach a few months ago.

I started taking photos of it and then realised it didn't seem to mind me coming closer. When I got really close up it was obvious that it was ill in some way.

Its feathers were ruffled, especially around the neck, and it was shaking
its head and neck rather often. It was also opening and closing its beak
rather quickly at intervals. I couldn't see anything else unusual about it
apart from some vague oily smudges on its head feathers, and it didn't
appear to have any obvious injuries, but its eyes where dull black and it looked as if it might be blind in one eye as it didn't see me at first until I moved round to the left.

The only way it reacted to me being so close to it was to turn slowly on the spot, keeping its left eye on me as
I moved around it. It didn't react to me talking to it either and seemed
apathetic and not at all alarmed.

I went back up to the road and flagged down a policeman on car patrol and he rang the local animal rescue people. I emailed them later but had no reply.

I realise that it is probably next to impossible to diagnose what was wrong with the bird just from photos, but is it possible to make an educated guess?

Thanks,

Andestine

[davecatt]

kitiwakes often follow boats at sea, from your description the only thing I can come up with is possibly the bird was scavenging around a boat that was leaking fuel or oil, that could explain the blindness and smudging around the head. That being the case then it may well have also swallowed some which would explain the lethargy and the head and beak movements perhaps due to problems with breathing.

Dave

[Andestine]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your considered reply. A nice bit of logical detective work

We do still get oiled up birds along the coast from time to time. I remember wading thigh high in Torrey Canyon oil as a little kid when we were let out of school to go and rescue birds from the beaches. We still have a small quarry full of the foul stuff, and it's still killing small birds all these years later There's been a real fuss about it recently and at last the authorities say they'll do something about it. Fingers crossed.

Thanks again Dave,

Cheers,

Andestine

[rangersarah2]

Your poor kittiwake. I hope it was ok. There is something heartbreaking about wildlife standing there while you walk up to it.

[Andestine]

Oh yes.

At first I was delighted to get so near to take photos as it didn't seem to be injured. But as I realised that it wasn't taking to the wing I had that sickening feeling (you know the one) as I realised there was something seriously wrong.

It always make me feel so frustrated and helpless, not knowing what to do for the best. But at least this one was rescued, and if it didn't ingest too much oil I like to think that it was nursed back to health. The island rescue services are expert at dealing with oiled-up birds

(I know, I know........the drains - that's what you're after, isn't it <g>)

Cheers,

Andestine