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Microplastic Pollution in Urban Birds: A Comparative Study of Rock, Columba livia, and Corvus splendens
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Researchers compared microplastic contamination, health markers, and foraging behaviour in Rock Pigeons and House Crows from urban environments in a study of terrestrial avian MP exposure. Both species contained MPs in their gastrointestinal tracts, with differences in contamination level and polymer type reflecting species-specific foraging ecology.
Microplastic pollution has emerged as a pervasive environmental threat, yet its effects on terrestrial urban avifauna remain underexplored. This study investigates the extent and implications of microplastic contamination in two synanthropic bird species: the Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) and the House Crow (Corvus splendens), both of which inhabit highly polluted urban environments. Through a comparative analysis involving the examination of ingested microplastics, health markers, and behavioral changes, the research evaluates species-specific vulnerabilities and adaptive responses to microplastic exposure. Findings reveal significant differences in ingestion patterns, with behavioral and physiological impacts evident in both species. The study highlights the role of urban birds as bioindicators of environmental health and underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies and improved urban waste management. This work contributes to filling the knowledge gap in terrestrial microplastic ecology and advocates for integrative urban biodiversity protection measures.
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Differences in microplastics in passerine feces across species, diet, and foraging location
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Researchers analyzed fecal samples from five passerine bird species and found microplastics in all of them, with ground-foraging species carrying higher particle loads and insectivores ingesting more fragment-shaped particles than omnivores — suggesting that feeding behavior and habitat determine which bird species face the greatest microplastic exposure risk.
Microplastic loading in terrestrial birds from nonlethal sampling
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Researchers tested wild terrestrial birds in the USA for microplastics using two methods: examining digestive tracts from dead birds and collecting droppings from live, released birds. Both methods found microplastics, with dropping samples detecting lower but comparable amounts. Microplastic levels varied more by individual bird than by diet, foraging habits, or body size.
First report on occurrence and characterization of microplastics in feces of Corvus splendens (Vieillot, 1817)
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Researchers found microplastics in 92% of fecal samples from Indian house crows (Corvus splendens), with polyester fibers dominating at 99% of particles and an average of 2.64 particles per sample. This first-ever report of microplastic ingestion in a terrestrial urban bird species highlights how plastic pollution has permeated even land-based wildlife food webs, far beyond marine and waterbird systems.
Microplastics in Urban Bird Feces: A Methodological Approach and Case Study in Mexico City
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Researchers analyzed pigeon droppings from three sites in Mexico City and found 16 to 28 microplastic particles per gram, mostly fragments of polystyrene and polyethylene smaller than 1 millimeter. The study developed a reliable method for extracting microplastics from organic material with a 93% recovery rate. Urban birds like pigeons can serve as indicators of microplastic pollution levels in cities, reflecting the contamination that humans in those same areas are also exposed to.
High microplastic pollution in birds of urban waterbodies revealed by non-invasively collected faecal samples
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Researchers analyzed bird droppings from urban freshwater habitats in Germany and found microplastic particles, mainly fibers, in 98% of samples across all species studied. The pollution levels were substantially higher than those reported in other freshwater bird studies, likely reflecting the heavy contamination of urban waterways. Since all the investigated species are at least partially migratory, the findings suggest birds may transport microplastics over long distances.
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