The continuous use of pesticides to improve agriculture has not only affected the crop but also altered the food chain and worst affected the non-target organisms. Birds utilizing agricultural landscapes for feeding get exposed to these chemicals through ingestion of sprayed soils, treated granules or seeds and prey items. Raptors like owls are the most likely victims of pesticide exposure as they are at the top level of food chain. In present study, excreta samples of barn owl and spotted owlet were collected from three locations and tested for presence of pesticide residues using gas chromatography. The organophosphate residues of dichlorvos, monocrotophos, phorate, malathion, quinalphos, profenophos, ethion were not reported in excreta of both owl species but the residues of chlorpyriphos (0.037 ppm) were detected in spotted owlet samples collected from village Barnhara only. The pyrethroid residues cyhalothrin, permethrin, cypermethrin were also found to be absent or below detectable limit in samples collected from different locations. The feeding habits of birds attribute to the level of contamination in predatory birds. Although the level of chlorpyriphos residues excreted out from the body of spotted owlet does not reflect the actual level of exposure to this bird but gives an indication of their being at the risk of exposure in the environment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.