Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16782

Organochlorine pesticide, PCB, and PBB residues and necropsy data for bald eagles from 29 states - 1975-77

During 1975-77, 168 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) found moribund or dead in 29 states were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); 32 specimens from 13 states were analyzed for polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs). PCBs were present in 166 bald eagle carcasses and DDE was found in 165. TDE and dieldrin were identified in 137 samples, trans-nonachlor in 118,
Authors
T. Earl Kaiser, William L. Reichel, Louis N. Locke, Eugene Cromartie, Alexander J. Krynitsky, Thair Lamont, Bernard M. Mulhern, Richard M. Prouty, Charles J. Stafford, Douglas M. Swineford

White-faced ibis populations and pollutants in Texas, 1969-1976

Eggshell thickness, levels of pollutant residues, and population status of the white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi) were monitored in Texas from 1969 through 1976. Texas ibis nesting populations declined by 42%. Reproductive success apparently was limited by DDE-induced shell thinning and by dieldrin-caused mortality. Eggshells averaged 4% to 10% thinner than the pre-1943 mean thickness. Shells of nu
Authors
K. A. King, D. L. Meeker, D. M. Swineford

Winter, waterfowl, and the salt marsh

No abstract available.
Authors
R.E. Kirby, Fred Ferrigno

Atlantic brant--human commensalism on eelgrass beds in New Jersey

Atlantic Brant Branta bernicla hrota in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, have established a commensal feeding relationship with man. Small flocks feed 3-5 m from clam fishermen on Zostera torn from the sea bottom by the fishing activities. Background material on the availability and digestibility of different brant foods is presented. This commensalism gives the Brant an efficient food gathering opportun
Authors
R.E. Kirby, H.H. Obrecht

Effects of toxaphene and endrin at very low dietary concentrations on discrimination acquisition and reversal in bobwhite quail, Colinus virginianus

Adult male bobwhite quail Colinus virginianus were fed toxaphene (chlorinated camphene, 67–69% chlorine) at 10 and 50 ppm or endrin (1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-6,7-epoxy-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,4-endo-endo,5,8-dimethanonaphalene) at 0·1 and 1·0 ppm and their performance on non-spatial discrimination reversal tasks was measured. The birds were on dosage for 138 days (beginning at the age of 3 d
Authors
J.F. Kreitzer

Sleeping distance in wild wolf packs

Sleeping distances were observed among members of 13 wild wolf (Canis lupus) packs and 11 pairs in northeastern Minnesota to determine if the distances correlated with pack size and composition. The study utilized aerial radio-tracking and observation during winter. Pack size and number of adults per pack were inversely related to pack average sleeping distance and variability. No correlation b
Authors
S.T. Knick, L. D. Mech

Factors affecting waterfowl breeding density and productivity estimates in the Northeast

During 1977-79, information useful for making breeding pair and brood surveys was obtained while studying black duck (Anas rubripes) habitat selection and productivity in south-central Maine. Surveys should be initiated in relation to sunrise and sunset time. Morning versus evening counts, familiarity with the survey area, wetland dynamics of the study area, wetland surface water area, and allotme
Authors
J. R. Longcore, J.K. Ringelman

Secondary poisoning of owls by anticoagulant rodenticides

Anticoagulants-compounds that prevent clotting of the blood-are extensively used for control of small mammal pests. The potential secondary hazards of 6 anticoagulant rodenticides to birds of prey were examined in this study. Whole rats or mice were killed with each anticoagulant and were fed to 1-3 species of owls. Owls died of hemorrhaging after feeding on rats killed with bromadiolone, brodifac
Authors
Vivian M. Mendenhall, L.F. Pank

Demography of the Everglade kite: Implications for population management

Simple deterministic and stochastic population modelsi are used to examine the demographic patterns of the Everglade Kite population. These efforts are directed at making inferences about the evolution of the kite life-history pattern, and at providing guidelines for the management of the kite population. The Everglade Kite has apparently evolved high adult survival rates, in partial response to
Authors
J. D. Nichols, Gary L. Hensler, P.W. Sykes