Twenty-four tiny swallows died on the Sunshine Coast this week after being smothered by a clear glue-like gel that is used to try to discourage bigger birds.
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The swallows weighed only 10 grams each.
The wildlife tragedy was discovered by Australia Zoo veterinarians when they were called to a property at Perigian on Tuesday where 32 swallows were caught up in the gel.
Australia Zoo's treating veterinarian, Dr Claude Lacasse, who tried to save the birds, said it was the first time she had seen the gel.
"It's highly unusual to see this many birds come in at once affected by the same thing," Dr Lacasse said.
"And it's the first time I've ever seen this gel," she said.
"It was like glue," she said.
Ms Lacasse said she was horrified to see the little swallows suffer so badly.
"It was really disheartening to see these swallows endure such a painful, stressful situation unnecessarily."
Thirty-two swallows were first found by state government rangers at Perigian, who then contacted Australia Zoo's vet staff.
Householders and businesses use the gel to deter big birds for roosting.
It is not recommended for birds smaller than pigeons.
Dr Lacasse said it appeared the gel had been used excessively.
"The way the swallows were found indicated that the gel was used excessively, resulting in them becoming drenched in the glue-like substance."
Australia Zoo's vet staff took four hours to wash the gel from the 32 birds.
However 24 were so exhausted and smothered by the gel that they did not make it through the night.
The remaining eight swallows were re-released back in the Perigian area.
Dr Lacasse said householders and business should consider other options to the clear gel to stop smaller birds being smothered and killed by the gel.
"Swallows are a harmless native species who suffered from the misuse of this product," she said.
"There are other options available that don't cause such a negative impact on innocent animals."
Other products posing threats to wildlife
Australia Zoo's wildlife hospital staff said other pest controls were also dangerous to other animals, which are not pests.
- Rodent poison – often eaten by possums
- Sticky rodent traps – lizards are often trapped in them
- Rat traps - other animals get stuck in them
- Bird proof gel – it is designed to frustrate big birds, but can smother smaller birds.
