Birds Showing Stress From San Francisco Oil Spill

The oil-drenched birds that volunteers and crews rescue are showing greater signs of stress with each day, according to USA Today.

Even as rescuers release some rehabilitated birds, those that are being treated now are more sick, showing greater signs of dehydration and weight loss.

They have more, and heavier, oil coating their feathers -- which not only keeps them from flying, but affects their ability to stay warm and dry in water, critical aspects of their survival strategy.

The birds have a clear message: It's much, much better to prevent such spills than to respond to them. That's why the investigation into the causes of this spill must be thorough, so the next might be avoided.

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