Something weird is happening to our feathered friends along the California coast, and it’s giving wildlife experts serious WTF vibes.

International Bird Rescue in San Pedro is currently playing emergency room for a bunch of Western gulls who are showing some seriously concerning symptoms. We’re talking total bird malfunction mode: dehydration, partial paralysis, confusion, and in some gnarly cases, respiratory distress.

What’s Going Down?

Since late July, about 20 gulls have rolled into the rescue center looking like they’ve had a really bad night out. The kicker? No one knows exactly what’s causing this mysterious bird apocalypse. Initial tests for avian influenza came back negative, leaving experts scratching their heads.

The Possible Culprit

Right now, wildlife managers are pointing fingers at a potential blue-green algae bloom. Since gulls are basically the trash pandas of the bird world - traveling between different water bodies and scavenging anything that looks remotely edible - they might have ingested something super toxic.

Hope on the Horizon

The good news? Some birds are recovering after receiving fluids and TLC. The Bird Rescue team is optimistic, treating each gull and preparing to release them back into the wild once they’re strong enough.

If you spot a struggling seagull looking like it’s having an existential crisis, call the Bird Rescue Helpline at 310-402-0642. These birds need our help, Bay Area!