Common Murre, Uria aalge
Common Murre, nonbreeding plumage, 9/27/08, Monterey Seabirds pelagic, Monterey Co
Common Murre, juvenile, 9/27/08, Monterey Seabirds pelagic, Monterey Co
Common Murre, breeding plumage, 7/31/04, Salinas State Beach, Monterey Co
This is a disabled bird I found on the beach north of the Salinas River mouth. When I saw the bird, it was moving and holding its head up, but its eyes were closed, and it didn't attempt to move away when I came within about 10 yards of it. The previous day I had seen a beached adult murre attacked and killed by gulls on the same beach, and I assumed this one would meet the same fate.

When I downloaded my picture, it occurred to me from the stains the bird might have run into some oil. I posted the picture on a local list, and a bird rehabilitator told me this is not oil but just broken and unpreened feathers in an injured or starving bird. Birds like this can apparently sometimes be rehabilitated; you call your local wildlife rehab center, which I will know to do in the future if I see a bird in this condition..