Birds such as grouse, pheasants and turkeys have a muscular part of the stomach called a gizzard, which pulverizes or crushes hickory and acorn seeds.
High mercury levels threaten young loons
High mercury levels threaten young loons Elevated mercury levels in Nova Scotia are causing
young loons to exhibit unusual behavior that may be putting their
survival at risk. High levels of mercury are affecting the loon
chicks' behaviour. Researchers have noticed that they are preening
excessively and are not riding on their mothers' backs. The
investigators believe that mercury, which is a nerve poison, has
impaired nerve functioning and is making the chicks vulnerable to
predators. Six of nine of the high mercury-level chicks died during
the two-year study and it is assumed that they were eaten by gulls
or turtles. It is believed that if this contamination continues,
Canada's declining loon population will be at further risk.
Researchers say that mercury pollution has been contributing to the
decline of the loon population for the last 50 years. Loons are at
the top of the aquatic food chain and are ingesting mercury from
the fish that they eat. The fish themselves are ingesting mercury
from species lower down on the food chain. Concentrations of
mercury are rising because of industrial pollution from coal-fired
power plants and incinerators. Another reason for concern over the
species is the low reproduction rate of loons. It is believed that
without migration the birds in this area would die out. It is
recommended that there be more control of mercury emissions to
prevent further adverse effects to Canada's wildlife. APRIL, 2000
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