Lead Gunshot Ingestion By A Peregrine Falcon

• DOI: 10.13157/arla.65.1.2018.sc1
• Publication Date: 2017-10-10T11:04:13Z
• Authors: Alessandro Andreotti; Ivano Fabbri; Simonetta Menotta; Fabrizio Borghesi
• Keywords: Falcon; GUNSHOT INJURY

Lead ammunition represents a source of poisoning for raptors eating game. Although the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus commonly preys on gamebirds, only few cases lead have been recorded, probably owing to lack specific investigations. We document an adult female found dead with many shot in digestive tract, mixed remains feral Pigeon Columba livia domestica and European Starling Sturnus vulgaris. Concentrations heart blood clot, liver, kidney bone suggest that was not ultimate cause death. However, levels clot small amount may absorbed from shot. The two prey species involved cannot be hunted Italy but they are intensively all year round prevent damage crops. —Andreotti, A., Fabbri, I., Menotta, S. & Borghesi, F. (2018). gunshot ingestion by Falcon. Ardeola, 65: 53–58.