London - The torturous process of cleaning birds caught in oil spills may soon become easier - thanks to magnets, say Australian researchers.

Instead of scrubbing oily feathers with detergents that can destroy their waterproof properties, scientists at Victoria University in Melbourne say they can be dusted with fine iron powder. Combing them with a magnet will remove both the oil and the iron.

In laboratory tests on duck feathers, one combing with a magnet removed 88% of light crude oil. After 10 combings, 97% of the oil was removed.

- Reuters