Experimental lead poisoning of Bobwhite, quail and mourning doves

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: Proc Southeast Assoc Game Fish Comm; (United States) Vol. 21
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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