More than 40 dead cormorants were found washed ashore at Venice Beach over the weekend, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors. The birds, known for their distinctive posture of spreading their wings to dry, were discovered Sunday morning scattered along the shoreline as beachgoers remained largely unaware.

Nicole Mooradian, spokesperson for the Department of Beaches and Harbors, noted that such a large number of dead cormorants is unusual. County employees worked through the afternoon to remove the carcasses. The specific cause of death for the birds found this weekend has not been determined.

Since last fall, wildlife experts in California have reported an increase in seabird mortality along the coast. Many of these deaths have been attributed to food shortages caused by an extreme marine heat wave. Rising ocean temperatures have reportedly forced fish, the primary prey for cormorants, to migrate northward or to deeper waters, making food scarce. In addition to starvation, parasites and infections are believed to play a role in the recent die-offs.

Three species of cormorants inhabit Southern California waters: double-crested, Brandt’s, and pelagic. These birds hunt for fish by diving underwater, with only their heads and necks visible when swimming. Their brightly colored eyes are a distinctive feature.

Standard protocol when dead seabirds are found typically involves photographing the animals and, if requested, transferring them to wildlife organizations for further investigation. However, limited staffing at the Department of Beaches and Harbors resulted in the birds from this weekend being disposed of through normal waste services before the county’s Department of Public Health could conduct examinations.

Health officials confirmed there is no elevated risk to the public from the recent findings. While bird flu has not been identified as a factor in these cases, its detection among marine wildlife in the San Francisco Bay Area earlier this year led the California Department of Public Health to advise the public to maintain a distance of at least 150 feet from all marine animals and seabirds.

The California Fish and Wildlife Department cautions against handling sick or dead seabirds, feeding them, attempting to remove fishing hooks, or taking close-up photographs with the birds. Observers are encouraged to report stranded or injured seabirds to local wildlife rehabilitation centers and to notify authorities of any dead birds.