Gulf Spill Still Threatens Millions of Migrating Birds
Despite the BP Gulf spill cap, millions of migrating birds this fall, and for years to come, may face oil threats—starvation in particular. Video.
Up to a billion migrating birds stop over in the Gulf of Mexico region on their annual treks southward. Despite BP's capping of the Deepwater Horizon leak, scientists say the birds may face ill effects from the Gulf oil spill for years to come.
With the potential collapse of Gulf food webs, one scientist says, starvation "will be the biggest problem in the long term, I think."
Birds are some of the most visible victims of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Thousands of affected birds—both live and dead—have been recovered on or near beaches like this one on West Ship Island, Mississippi.
Some are obviously oiled —others, like this laughing gull—must await a necropsy to see if oil is to blame
