Birds on Acid
Riding up PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) a few weeks ago, we witnessed a pelican fly erratically, careening around sloppily, flapping low to the ground, and nearly getting smashed by a car whizzing by. Very odd and disturbing. We shrugged it off.I come to find out that there are many recent reported cases of similar unsettling bird behavior. Conditions are such here at the So Cal coast that algae is producing domoic acid, which “bioaccululates” up the food chain and gets ingested by fish, which the birds then eat. The pelican was essentially poisoned. Symptoms are the said erratic behavior, convulsions, even death. Who knew? This planet surprises the shit out of me on a daily basis.
Remember Hitchcock’s “The Birds”? Based on an incident likely caused by domoic acid poisoning.
More info at the International Bird Rescue Research Center.
posted by Mike King at 6:29 PM
1 Comments:
Wow, it just breaks my heart to think of these animals suffering and dieing like this.
This is the first time I’ve heard of Domoic Acid poisoning.
You have posted a grand picture of a White Pelican. The White Pelican is quite common here in the Klamath Basin; as a matter of fact, it is the City Mascot, and symbol.
I would be sick at heart, and mad as hell, if I had to witness them falling out of the sky here; they are a magnificent bird to see. I hope there is some study and research ongoing to eliminate or alleviate this condition.
Post a Comment
<< Home