Title
Common Loon Health Assessments in New York’s Adirondack Park, 2003-2012
Author(s)
Schoch, N.;Calle, P.;Ingerman, K.;James, S.;Paré, J.A.
Published
2013
Abstract
Health assessments were conducted on 149 Common Loons (Gavia immer) in New York's Adirondack Park from 2003 to 2012. Birds were captured using nightlighting and playback techniques. Blood samples were collected from the tibiotarsal vein from 103 adult and 46 juvenile loons for complete blood counts, chemistry profiles, heavy metal analyses, and to determine exposure to pesticides. Not all analyses were conducted on all birds. Complete blood counts (n=138) and chemistries (n=30) were similar to previously published results. Adult loons had higher average packed cell volumes and heterophil counts than juveniles, Blood parasites including trypanosomes, microfilaria, and Leukocytozoon sp. were observed on blood smears from 7 birds. Eleven of 42 (26%) loons had one or more endoparasites, including trematodes, Eimeria sp., and Digenea sp., in opportunistically collected fecal samples. Lead levels were elevated in 98 (6%) of the loons, indicating probably ingestion of lead fishing tackle. Mercury levels high enough to impair reproductive success were observed in 32% of the loons (n=99). Exposure to other heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, and thallium) was negligible or nonexistent (n=98). Sixty-five percent (37/57) and 94% (34/36) of loons evaluated had residues of metabolites of PCB’s and DDE respectively, indicating potential ongoing exposure to banned persistent environmental contaminants. There was little or no evidence of exposure to other contaminants, such as aldrin, BHC, dieldrin, endosulfane, chlordane, endrin, heptachlor, and lindane. This study provides a baseline for assessing health parameters and contaminant exposure in loons evaluated for rehabilitation or in catastrophic events, such as oil spills.

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PUB14698