Diet and methyl mercury contamination of nestling red-winged blackbirds

Abstract

Methyl mercury (MeHg) is a widespread environmental contaminant that can have adverse effects on the health of vertebrate wildlife. This study focused on diets and MeHg contamination of nestling red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) from a wetland in north Texas, USA. In previous research at the study site, a risk assessment model suggested that if emergent aquatic insects (i.e., odonates) were the dominant prey item in nestling diets, the health of nestling red-winged blackbirds could be negatively affected. The purpose of this study was to follow up on an earlier risk assessment and determine whether nestling red-winged blackbirds were accumulating elevated concentrations of MeHg at our study site. We had four objectives: (1) estimate the proportion of emergent aquatic insects, spiders, and terrestrial insects in diets of nestling red-winged blackbirds using a stable isotope-based dietary mixing model; (2) assess the concentrations of MeHg in emergent aquatic insects, spiders, and terrestrial insects; (3) assess the concentrations of MeHg in blood of nestling red-winged blackbirds; and (4) determine whether nestling red-winged blackbirds had MeHg concentrations that were high enough to pose a health risk. We found that nestling red-winged blackbirds had a diet dominated by terrestrial insect prey with low concentrations of MeHg and that the nestlings had low concentrations of MeHg in their blood, well below hazardous levels. The results of the study suggest that caution must be used when interpreting risk assessment models for nestling red-winged blackbirds. Because their diets can consist of varying proportions of emergent aquatic insects, spiders, and terrestrial insects, risk assessments based on estimates of diet from the literature that suggest nestlings could be at risk from Hg contamination should be followed up with studies to assess diet and/or the actual level of contamination of nestlings.