Experimental lead poisoning of Bobwhite, quail and mourning doves

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1967 · Proc Southeast Assoc Game Fish Comm; (United States)

OSTI ID:6133239

McConnell, C A

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of lead on quail and doves. The birds were force-fed predetermined numbers of lead shots. Birds were observed daily after exposure to lead. All birds which died were autopsied to determine if any shots could be located in their crops, gizzards or intestines. Surviving birds were studied further to determine if their fecundity, fertility or hatchability was affected by the lead. Nineteen percent of the quail exhibited signs of sickness and 10% died. Thirty-eight percent of the doves exhibited signs of sickness and 32% died. Young birds had a higher rate of mortality than older birds. No certain number of shots was determined to be lethal. Autopsies revealed that young birds retain shots in their gizzards for longer periods of time than do adult birds. This probably explains the higher mortality rate in young birds.

• OSTI ID: 6133239
• Journal Information: Proc Southeast Assoc Game Fish Comm; (United States), Vol. 21
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIRDS
SENSITIVITY
LEAD
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
TOXICITY
AGE DEPENDENCE
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FERTILITY
HATCHING
INGESTION
MORTALITY
RETENTION
ABSORPTION
ANIMALS
DATA
ELEMENTS
INFORMATION
INTAKE
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)