Hundreds of Birds Dead from San Francisco Oil Spill

Four days after Wednesday's 58,000-gallon oil spill, 1,304 birds have been found drenched, shivering and immobilized, according to USA Today. 556 birds have died, all wearing a suit of restrictive bunker oil.

Oil spills are especially devastating to avian populations because oil bores holes in the natural insulation of a bird's plumage. Such cavities make it nearly impossible for birds to stay dry and warm when hunting in water. Eventually they die of hypothermia.

Environmentalists and volunteers are trying to rescue and care for those birds affected by Wednesday’s spill. The oil-slicked creatures have been collected as far north as Marin County and as far south as Pacifica -- a distance of more than 40 miles. Rescued birds are taken to the nearest Oiled Wildlife Care and Education Center where they receive medical aid and a thorough cleaning.

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