Arctic birds being called little ‘penguins’ washing ashore in Carolinas, need special care
MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WWAY) — Wildlife rescues in the Carolinas are warning residents to be on the lookout for a species of bird that look like small penguins that are not native to this area.
These little birds are actually dovekies, they are in the puffin family and from the arctic.
Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center posted on Facebook that it has taken in three new dovekies into their care. They said that dovekies are a new species for the center, but that three of the birds were admitted within a six-hour stretch on Sunday.
The Myrtle Beach Wildlife Rescue also shared a post about it saying, “A lot of talk recently about these little “penguins” as they are being called. ” It also posted a video of the birds to explain that the little birds require very special care including being tube fed every couple hours with a formula made specifically for debilitated pelagic birds and pool time with specific requirements.
The Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization shared the post warning people along the Cape Fear Coast to be on the look out for these birds. Wildlife rescues in Emerald Isle are also seeing the birds wash ashore.
The center added that they are still receiving many reports of stranded birds along the Carolina Coast. Two of the dovekies came from Myrtle Beach and a third from Charleston.The center says that easterly storms have pushed the birds south, causing them to be stranded on land.
If you spot a dovekie along the shore, the center asks that you do not put it back in the ocean. Instead, contain the bird in a box and keep it warm, dark and quiet–and contact a wildlife rescue promptly. The center also said many of the birds pass away before receiving care.
