Citation:

Meyers, S., J. Cummings, AND R. Bennett. EFFECTS OF METHYL PARATHION ON RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (AGELIUS PHOENICUES) INCUBATION BEHAVIOR AND NESTING SUCCESS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-90/192 (NTIS PB91116749), 1990.

Description:

Free-living female red-winged blackbirds were captured on their nests and given oral doses of 0,2.37 or 4.21 mg/kg methyl- parathion in a propylene glycol carrier during incubation. irds were released immediately after dosing and observed for 5 h to document behavioral effects, amount of time spent off the nest after dosing and time spent incubating. ach nest was monitored until nestlings fledged or until all nestlings died or disappeared. or each nest, the time of abandonment, hatching success and fledgling success were determined. n addition, pre-fledgling weights were obtained for all nestlings in nests at 8 d after hatch. lthough methyl parathion caused ataxia, lacrimation and lethargy and significantly depressed cholinesterase activity (>35%) at 4.21 mg/kg, there were no apparent adverse effects on reproduction. emales receiving 4.21 mg/kg methyl parathion were able to return to their nests, resume incubation, successfuLly hatch their clutch and rear their young. estlings of poisoned females did not have significantly different body weights at 8 d compared to controls, indicating that methyl parathion did not disrupt the females: ability to forage and deliver adequate food to nestlings. and returns from the following year indicated that treatment birds returned and nested in nearly the same proportion as did controls and other red-winged blackbirds occupying the ponds. here was no indication that a singly oral dose of methyl parathion (2.37 or 4.21 mg/kg) decreased over-winter survival.

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