Availability and ingestion of lead shotshell pellets by migrant Bald Eagles in Saskatchewan

We determined food habits and prevalence of ingested shotshell pellets in a population of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at a waterfowl stagin g area on the Canadian prairies. Food habits were ascertained through exami nation of prey remains and regurgitated castings, and by direct observation . Shotshell pellet ingestion was determined by radiography of regurgitated castings and by fluoroscopy of live-trapped eagles. In addition, we collect ed moribund and dead waterfowl to determine prevalence of lead shotshell pe llets within their tissues. Waterfowl formed the bulk of the diet (>70% of prey items). Of 123 waterfowl carcasses examined, 47% contained shotshell p ellets ranging in number from 1-7 per bird. Of 118 shotshell pellets remove d, 87% were composed of lead, the remainder steel. Less than 2% of regurgit ated eagle castings collected (N = 509) contained lead shotshell pellets. I ngested shotshell pellets were found in 9% (6 of 66) of trapped eagles. The se conditions should ameliorate with the ban on use of lead shotshell pelle ts for hunting waterfowl in Canada that was instituted in 1999.