Early reproductive success of western bluebirds and ash-throated flycatchers: a landscape-contaminant perspective

Comparison of the reproductive success of two similar cavity-nesting bird species that differ with development rate in relation to various soil contaminants. Eggshell quality, clutch size, sex ratio, and hatching success of western bluebirds ( Sialia mexicana) and ash-throated flycatchers ( Myiarchu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 2002-01, Vol.118 (3), p.321-330
Main Authors: Fair, Jeanne M, Myers, Orrin B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Ash-throated flycatcher
Aves
Biological and medical sciences
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates
Eggs
Eggshells
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Pollutants - adverse effects
Female
Fertility
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Male
Metals, Heavy - adverse effects
PCBs
Polychlorinated Biphenyls - adverse effects
Reproduction
Sex Ratio
Soil Pollutants, Radioactive - adverse effects
Songbirds - physiology
Western bluebird
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Summary:Comparison of the reproductive success of two similar cavity-nesting bird species that differ with development rate in relation to various soil contaminants. Eggshell quality, clutch size, sex ratio, and hatching success of western bluebirds ( Sialia mexicana) and ash-throated flycatchers ( Myiarchus cinerascens) were studied on a landscape-soil contaminant gradient at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico from 1997 to 1999. A variety of contaminants (heavy metals, chemicals, insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorines, and radioactive isotopes) range across different spatial scales and concentrations on LANL land. This study is an example of a monitoring program over a large area with varying degree of contamination that is used to highlight locations of concern for future research. There were two locations where the flycatcher had a lower hatching success. The bluebirds at Sandia wetland, a location of concern for PCBs, had a thinner eggshell thickness index (RATCLIFFE) and the eggs were smaller than at other locations. The flycatcher had thinner eggshells than bluebirds, which could add to sensitivity to exposure to contaminants. There was no variation in clutch size or sex ratio between locations or areas closer to contaminant release sites for both species. Percent females in the clutch ranged from 0 to 100% in the WEBL and from 33 to 67% for ATFL.
ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00302-5