Lead Concentrations and Reproduction in Highway-Nesting Barn Swallows

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Abstract
Pb concentrations in the carcasses and stomach contents of adult and nestling barn swallows (H. rustica) collected with the right-of-way of a major Maryland [USA] highway were greater than those found in barn swallows nesting within a rural area. Pb concentrations in the feathers of adults from the highway colony were also greater than those of rural adults, but concentrations in the feathers of nestlings from the 2 locations were similar. Activity of .delta.-aminole-vulinic acid dehydratase in red blood cells was lower in highway-nesting adults and their young than in their rural counterparts, although Hb concentrations and hematocrits did not differ. The number of eggs, nestlings, and body weights of the latter at 16-18 days of age were similar in the 2 colonies, as were body weights of adults from the 2 areas. These results suggest that contamination of roadside habitats by Pb from automotive emissions does not pose a serious hazard to birds that are aerial feeders.