Abstract
Lead, cadmium, and iron contamination was examined in the plumage of feral pigeons. Metal contamination in pigeons from different regions in Bratislava or in different seasons did not differ significantly; seasonal type of food did not significantly influence the concentrations. The blood of birds was examined for the presence of complement fixing antibodies toChlamydia psittaci. Birds with antibodies did not contain significantly higher metal concentrations in the plumage than birds without antibodies. Juveniles contained significantly lower lead burdens than adults. Plumage lead concentrations increased with age of nestlings. Females and males did not differ significantly. Melanic juveniles possessed significantly lower levels of cadmium than “wild” types. Adults with body weight, head length or wing length above the average exhibited higher plumage cadmium concentrations than the birds with undersized body weight, head length or wing length.
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Janiga, M., Mankovská, B., Bobal'ová, M. et al. Significance of concentrations of lead, cadmium, and iron in the plumage of the feral pigeon. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 19, 892–897 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055056
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055056