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Potential Effects of the Deepwater Oil Spill
on Birds in the Gulf of Mexico

Which birds could be affected by the spill?  At this point, no one knows the extent in time and space of the effects of the oil spill on birds.  The list below includes many of the species most likely to be affected by the spill, although some species on the list won’t occur in Florida in numbers until next winter and some species are more common than others. 

Which habitats will be most affected?  Open waters offshore, beaches, coastal marsh and bays, and salt marsh. 

Negative effects to birds:  Toxic effects of direct contact with oil during foraging and nesting; secondary toxic effects through scavenging; loss of coastal vegetation; loss of food (fish, invertebrates); and disturbance of beach-nesting bird nesting areas by clean-up crews and others.

To report oiled or injured wildlife, please call 1-866-557-1401.

To record bird observations visit the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology eBird website

Learn more about Florida’s Important Bird Area program.