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species studied
American kestrel
Arctic tern
Atlantic puffin
Bald eagle
Belted kingfisher
Black guillemot
Common eider
Common loon
Common tern
Double-crested cormorant
Great black-backed gull
Glossy ibis
Herring gull
Least tern
Leach’s
storm-petrel
Osprey
Peregrine falcon
Piping plover
Red-winged blackbird
Snowy egret
Tree swallow
Virginia rail
Willet
New Report
Contaminant screening in Maine birds: A new report by BioDiversity Research Institute
Primary Findings
• Banned and new harmful contaminants were found in all Maine bird eggs tested.
• Industrial stain and water repellants (PFCs) were found for the first time in Maine birds.
• Contaminants were found above adverse effects levels.
• Contaminants were found in birds living on the ocean, salt marshes, rivers, lakes, and uplands.
• Birds found in southern coastal Maine tended to have the highest contaminant levels.
• Eagles had the highest contaminant levels.
• Birds with high levels of one contaminant had high levels of other contaminants.
• The flame retardant deca was found in eight species.
• Overall, banned contaminants are lower today than in the past.
Contaminants measured
• Mercury: neurological,
reproductive
• Banned transformer coolants (PCBs): immunological, reproductive, organ function
• Flame retardants (PBDEs): developmental, endocrinal, organ function
• Industrial stain and water repellants (PFCs): developmental, reproductive
• Banned pesticides (OCs):
egg-shell thinning, reproductive
