Common murres have been dying extensively on the shores of California over the past two months. These birds are dying due to starvation caused by warming Pacific Ocean waters, which are affected by climate change and a strong El Niño.
Causes of Starvation and Health Issues
Common murres can dive up to 300 feet to catch prey, but predatory fish are quickly outpacing these birds, leaving many of them starving. Without enough energy from food, these birds cannot molt their feathers. Molting is a natural process that helps common murres swim, stay warm, and maintain their waterproofing.
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Dozens of emaciated seabirds have been transferred to international bird rescue centers in California for vital care. This NGO stated in a blog post that at this time of year, they usually receive many orphaned chicks and few adults, but this year, the number of adults exceeds that of chicks.
Impacts of Climate Change on Common Murre Populations
Severely emaciated murres have been transferred to rescue centers, and many of them arrive with worn and broken feathers. Dr. Rebecca Duerr, Chief Research and Veterinary Science Officer, explained that "not having the energy to grow new feathers is like not having enough money to buy a new wetsuit and being forced to use an old, worn-out suit in a cold ocean."
The staff at this center provide specialized care to help these birds regain strength and return to their natural environment. Some of them are also being treated for parasites called Babesia uriae, which cause anemia and weakness in seabirds.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time common murres have been at risk. These birds experienced the largest recorded die-off following a marine heatwave in Alaska known as "the blob," which began in late 2014 and lasted for two years.
A study in 2024 showed that about four million murres, equivalent to half the state's murre population, died during this period due to starvation. At that time, over 500 birds were treated at the rescue center in San Francisco Bay.
Common murres spend most of the year in open ocean and then thousands migrate to steep coastal cliffs to breed. Because murres typically mate for life and lay only one egg per year, the recovery of this species is slow, making their rescue even more important.
Anyone who sees a murre in distress in an unusual location should contact their local animal control agency or a bird rescue hotline.
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Source: independent.co.uk
