Surf Scoter Stranded On Beach

The following story about a surf scoter was submitted by Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA in California.

Brought to us from Pacifica on April 2, 2021, this adult surf scoter was found beached along the shore.

Being a pelagic species, this sea duck spends a majority of its life on the water and only comes onto land to nest. Naturally, if a pelagic bird such as a surf scoter becomes stranded on the beach, there is likely something wrong.

Upon exam, we discovered this patient was uninjured, but dehydrated, hypothermic, and severely thin, weighing 650 grams (about 1.4 pounds)

After stabilizing his body temperature in an incubator, we hydrated the scoter and began using EmerAid IC Piscivore to aid in his supportive care. EmerAid was the perfect solution for this patient due to his debilitated state and reduced digestive capacity.

Once stable he was transferred to International Bird Rescue for continued care.