Hundreds of birds—including this loon pictured on the Oregon coast in fall 2009—are washing up on the shores of the U.S. Pacific Northwest coated with a foamy sea slime, scientists say.

The slime, which comes from algae blooms in the ocean, saps the waterproofing ability of the birds’ feathers, experts say.

Read More: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091030-sea-slime-birds-picture.html