Toxic Spills and Pollution

TAKE EXTREME CAUTION AND ASSUME ALL BIRDS ARE AN EXPOSURE RISK TO YOURSELF. RESCUE SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED EXCEPT BY HIGHLY TRAINED PERSONNEL.

What Happens

Psittacines can be affected by poisoning, pollutants and spills into waterways and water resources. Events can be accidental or deliberate (as a result of human-wildlife conflict). Massive numbers of birds may be affected.

Chemical and oil spills may affect a few or hundreds of birds. Substances are very likely dangerous to humans and caution with PPE is absolutely necessary. Trained personnel must work with the birds ASAP.

Pesticide exposure is usually immediately fatal but can be treated if the agents are known. Psittacines may potentially be exposed by ingesting treated seed, being active in areas of agriculture, or the exposure may be intentional poisoning. If the birds survive, careful evaluation will be needed and any adverse or persistent consequences of exposure will preclude release.

Anticoagulant rodenticides are usually fatal but if a parrot survives to reach a rehabilitation facility, the prognosis is very poor and the bird suffers great pain. Non-anticoagulant rodenticides are responsible for bizarre signs which mimic viral, parasitic, traumatic or severe neurological disease. Some species can survive the intoxication but have permanent neurological deficits not compatible with release.

The most dangerous aspect of many herbicide exposures is the carrier. Parrots may be exposed in landscape, agricultural or horticultural situations. Recommendations for chemical burns above should help.

Heavy metals can pollute food and water sources and may result from destructive behavior and chewing.

What to Expect

• The effect of toxic exposure depends entirely on the nature of the toxins. Some have multiple effects.

• MASS CASUALTIES CAN RESULT FROM AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS inappropriately applied or accidentally ingested.

• respiratory distress from chemical burns or primary toxicant

• respiratory and integumental injury from carrier substances

• GI issues (vomiting and diarrhea)

• bleeding/hemorrhage

• primary neurological toxins can lead to fall injuries, seizures, paralysis, disorientation, drowning, inability to drink or feed

• chemical burns

• mass mortality

• apparently uninjured birds may exhibit extreme docility, extreme aggression, or extreme vocalizations

What to Do

TAKE EXTREME CAUTION AND ASSUME ALL BIRDS ARE AN EXPOSURE RISK TO YOURSELF. USE APPROPRIATE PPE WHERE POSSIBLE, AND IF THE TOXICANT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED

• Capture and contain injured birds

• keep them in a warm, dry, safe and secure environment

• unconscious birds should be left alone

• do not force water or food in conscious birds

• in conscious and aware birds, warm water can be gently dropped along the tomia (edges of upper and lower beak) to encourage normal licking and swallowing

• once water is accepted, warm sugar water (1:4 sugar to warm water) can be alternated

• do not offer free-access water until they are able to regain normal posture

• offer food only after they are hydrated

• contact appropriate rescue if/when possible

• minimal handling and refrain from :staring at them all the time"

• visual or audible contact with other birds is desirable

• ambulant and non-aggressive birds may do better in small groups (5 or less)

The rescuer is advised to be extremely cautious. The best course of action is to contact trained personnel or agencies.

Decontamination should only be attempted by trained personnel.

Likely Outcomes

• severe respiratory injury and neurological impact generally do not lead to good outcomes

• many birds will die instantly on contact or ingestion

• expect a high mortality rate on birds that are found down on the ground and docile

• environmental damage may lead to long-term exposure risks, starvation and water source pollution

Emergency housing

Emergency Care

Remote feed and water stations

Decision Trees and Flowcharts