Chlordane poisoning of birds in New Jersey, USA
1999
Stansley, W. | Roscoe, D.E.
During a 16-month period in 1996-97, we documented chlordane poisoning in six species of songbirds and four species of raptors in New Jersey. Noteworthy among these cases are recurring mass mortalities of birds at suburban roosts. At one roost we recovered a total of 425 dead or sick birds comprised of 307 common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula), 104 European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and 14 American robins (Turdus migratorius) over a 3-week period in July 1997. Sick birds displayed signs consistent with cyclodiene poisoning, including convulsions, opisthotonos, and excessive vocalization. Brain metabolite residues indicative of chlordane poisoning were found in all 23 specimens analyzed. We believe this to be the largest chlordane poisoning incident reported in the United States. Chlordane poisoning was also diagnosed in nine Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperi), a state-listed endangered species. The timing of the Cooper's hawk mortalities coincides closely with the July peak in songbird mortalities, suggesting that the hawks might be feeding on birds debilitated by chlordane. The results of this and other studies suggest that chlordane poisoning of birds may be more common than is currently recognized.
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