Relationship of diets and environmental contaminants in wintering bald eagles. [Haliaeetus leucocephalus]

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Journal of Wildlife Management; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3809214· OSTI ID:6832559

Frenzel, R W; Anthony, R G ^[1]

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1. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis (USA)

We investigated the relationship between diets and potential hazards in contaminants of wintering bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the Klamath Basin of northern California and southern Oregon. We studied diets by identifying remains of 913 prey items found at perches, examining 341 castings collected from communal night roots, and observing foraging eagles. We determined residues of organochlorine compounds, lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in bald eagles and their prey by analyzing eagle blood samples and carcasses and 8 major prey species. Bald eagles fed largely on waterfowl by scavenging cholera-killed ducks and geese and on microtine rodents during mid- to late winter. Residues of organochlorine pesticides and Hg in prey were low, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) were detected in low concentrations in 9% of prey samples. Means Pb concentrations in prey ranged from 0.15 to 4.79 ppm. Mercury was detected in all eagle blood samples, and Pb was detected in 41% of the bald eagle blood samples. Mean Pb concentration in livers of dead eagles was 2.09 ppm and ranged as high as 27 ppm in an eagle that died of Pb poisoning. Prey of the eagles were relatively free of contaminants with the possible exception of embedded Pb shot in waterfowl, which may present a potential for Pb poisoning of eagles.

• OSTI ID: 6832559
• Journal Information: Journal of Wildlife Management; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Wildlife Management; (USA) Vol. 53:3; ISSN 0022-541X; ISSN JWMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIRDS
BODY BURDEN
CALIFORNIA
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONTAMINATION
DIET
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION X
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INGESTION
INTAKE
LEAD
MERCURY
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
USA
VERTEBRATES