While BP is still working on finding a good way to clean up the Gulf of Mexico spill, wildlife is suffering as it affects its habitat or food supply. Here are some of the birds that could be in danger:
– American Oystercatcher (The American Oystercatcher eats oysters and the BP oil spill could endanger the bird’s food supply.)
– White Ibis (The White Ibis, which nests along the Gulf of Mexico, isn’t an endangered species but as a wadding bird, the oil can threaten it and its food source.)
– Common Loons (The common loons are just now recovering from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Now the BP oil spill is contaminating their winter habitat.)
– Terns (The small Least Tern is either threatened or endangered in most states and the oil spill could add to the loss of the birds. The Caspian terns have a stable population in the U.S. but it is dropping in other countries, so it is important to maintain or even increase our population. However, the Caspian Terns roost and build their nests in the sand, so they are vulnerable oil both in the water and washing ashore.)
– Mottled Duck (The Mottled Duck is a bird on the WatchList of the National Audubon Society that lives in Louisiana and Texas.)
– Egrets (The Reddish Egret is also on the WatchList because of its low numbers and the fact that the oil spill threatens its habitat. The Snowy Egret survived the late 19th century when women liked to wear its feathers in their hats, but can it survive this massive oil spill?)
– Brown Pelican (Even the state bird of Louisiana is in danger. The Brown Pelican almost became extinct before the pesticide DDT, which was ruining its eggs, was banned. But, because they eat fish from the gulf, they could become oiled by the spill.)