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Oregon Bird die-off perplexes scientists
Bird die-off perplexes scientists
Tuesday, March 21, 2006The Associated Press
Hundreds of the seabirds known as rhinoceros auklets have washed up on the Southern Oregon coast, and scientists haven't settled on an explanation for the die-off.
The birds seem to be in good shape off California and Washington, a researcher said.
"The questions in my mind are: Is this something that's widespread in Oregon? Is it a freak event like a storm or something that's going to last longer?" said seabird researcher Dr. Julia Parrish, an associate professor of biology at the University of Washington.
Explanations include a storm that killed lots of birds as they were gathering for breeding season, and warming ocean waters that are inhospitable to the bird's food chain.
There were no reports of an increase of dead auklets elsewhere, said Parrish, executive director of the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team.
Beach observers said the birds started washing up this month off Southern Oregon, and hundreds of carcasses, as many as 20 to 30 a mile, were reported last week.
The birds live most of their lives at sea. They are scrappy, constant fliers and look like little footballs, almost pointy on the ends, black on top and white underneath.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...610.xml&coll=7
Tuesday, March 21, 2006The Associated Press
Hundreds of the seabirds known as rhinoceros auklets have washed up on the Southern Oregon coast, and scientists haven't settled on an explanation for the die-off.
The birds seem to be in good shape off California and Washington, a researcher said.
"The questions in my mind are: Is this something that's widespread in Oregon? Is it a freak event like a storm or something that's going to last longer?" said seabird researcher Dr. Julia Parrish, an associate professor of biology at the University of Washington.
Explanations include a storm that killed lots of birds as they were gathering for breeding season, and warming ocean waters that are inhospitable to the bird's food chain.
There were no reports of an increase of dead auklets elsewhere, said Parrish, executive director of the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team.
Beach observers said the birds started washing up this month off Southern Oregon, and hundreds of carcasses, as many as 20 to 30 a mile, were reported last week.
The birds live most of their lives at sea. They are scrappy, constant fliers and look like little footballs, almost pointy on the ends, black on top and white underneath.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...610.xml&coll=7
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