Tiny penguin-like seabirds known as common murres are dying in large numbers along the California coast over the past two months. Scientists believe the primary cause is a lack of food, driven by warming Pacific waters linked to climate change and a powerful El Niño weather pattern. These conditions have led to an increase in predator fish that compete with murres for food, making it harder for the birds to find enough to eat. Murres can dive as deep as 300 feet to hunt, but the surge in predator fish has left many unable to get enough energy, which is crucial for their survival. Without enough food, the birds are unable to molt, a natural process that helps them stay warm, buoyant, and waterproof. Molting involves shedding old feathers and growing new ones, which requires significant energy. This year, dozens of severely emaciated murres have been taken to International Bird Rescue centers in California for critical care. "This time of year, Bird Rescue normally receives large numbers of orphaned chicks with a few adults. However, this year, more adults than chicks are coming into care," the non-profit said in a blog post. Many of the rescued birds have worn and broken feathers, struggling to maintain their physical condition. Dr. Rebecca Duerr, Senior Director of Research and Veterinary Science at International Bird Rescue, explained that without enough energy, the birds are like "not having enough money to buy a new wetsuit and having to use a ratty old one with lots of holes in a cold ocean." The rescue centers provide specialized care to help the birds regain strength and eventually return to the wild. Some are also treated for a red blood cell parasite called Babesia uriae, which causes anemia and weakness in seabirds. This is not the first time common murres have faced such a crisis. In the early 2010s, an ocean heat wave known as “the blob” led to the largest known die-off of a single bird species. A 2024 study found that about four million murres—nearly half of the population in Alaska—died from starvation during that event. During that time, more than 500 birds were treated at the rescue organization’s San Francisco Bay-Delta center. Researchers say that while most heat waves are short-lived, “the blob” lasted for two years, dramatically altering the marine ecosystem in ways that are still being studied today. Common murres spend most of the year at sea, only coming to tall seaside cliffs to lay eggs. They mate for life and typically lay just one egg per year, which makes their recovery from population declines particularly slow. For this reason, saving the remaining birds is more critical than ever. Anyone who sees a murre in distress, in an unusual location, or isolated from others should contact local animal control or the Bird Rescue’s Bird HelpLine at 866-SOS-BIRD (866-767-2473).