Oil destroys the duck s waterproof feathers ,which overlap and form a tight weave.
Oil clogs up these barbs and barbules, allowing water to soak through the insulation and reach the birds skin, causing it to loose its body heat. The seabird becomes extremely cold and tries to use it fat reserves to maintain their proper body temperature, this is known as Hypothermia, which is the actual cause of death in a case such as this. Moreover, damage is done to the birds liver, lungs, kidneys, intestines, and other internal organs. The seabirds are often poisoned by the toxic compounds they inhale and swallow while coated with oil. Oil from the feathers of incubating birds can enter the pores of eggshells and kill embryos, or cause abnormalities.