The Impact of Mercury on North American Songbirds
41 Percent of Sampled Species Show Effects from Mercury

Portland, ME – The scope and intensity of mercury contamination in North American songbirds is more widespread than previously reported. Fifteen new scientific papers have recently been published in a special issue of the journal Ecotoxicology. Studies find that at least 58 songbird species show demonstrated effects from mercury. The journal’s October issue entitled, The Impact of Mercury on North American Songbirds: Effects, Trends, and Predictive Factors, presents results of field, laboratory, and museum studies—from Alaska to Maine to Puerto Rico.

“This collection of studies shows that songbirds represent a powerful tool for the study, monitoring, and risk assessment of environmental mercury,” says David Evers, Ph.D., BRI executive director and co-editor of this special issue.

For full press release, click here.