… that the best way to clean an oil-spill bird is with Dawn dish detergent - “they (the bird rescuers) [are] most likely to use Dawn, which they receive in large donations from Proctor and Gamble” (Slate Magazine Explainer).
There has been a lot of testing throughout the last few decades, and, according to the International Bird Rescue Research Center, “‘Dawn’ dishwashing liquid was a standout! Oil seemed to fall off the feathers! Rinsing was easier than we thought possible.”
I didn’t know that. And I will look at Dawn twice the next time I am shopping for dishwashing liquid. It seems to work (well, at least on oiled birds), and, via donation, P&G is doing something good for the world (no word on how much oil is spilled getting the product to market, though…).