AN ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF LEAD SHOT EXPOSURE IN NON-WATERFOWL AVIAN SPECIES - UPLAND GAME BIRDS AND RAPTORS

There is increasing concern that birds in terrestrial ecosystems may b e exposed to spent lead shot. Evidence exists that upland birds, parti cularly mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), ingest spent lend shot and that raptors ingest lead shot by consuming wounded game. Mortality, ne urological dysfunction, immune suppression, and reproductive impairmen t are documented effects of exposure to lead in birds. An ecological r isk assessment on the impact of lead shot exposure in upland birds was conducted and is presented in the context of the new United States En vironmental Protection Agency's Ecological Risk Assessment Paradigm. A considerable amount of spent lead shot is released into the environme nt each year from shooting and hunting. Doves collected from fields th at are cultivated to attract mourning doves for hunting activities sho w evidence of ingestion of spent lead shot. Because lead can cause bot h acute and chronic toxicity if ingested by birds, and because there i s evidence of widespread deposition of lead shot in terrestrial ecosys tems, concern for impacts on upland game birds and raptors seems warra nted. Although this ecological risk assessment does not clearly define a significant risk of lead shot exposure to upland game birds, this i ssue merits continued scrutiny to protect our upland game bird and rap tor resources.