Rostrhamus sociabilis

No data are available on the toxicity of copper to avian wildlife. All studies with birds and copper use domestic chickens, ducks, or turkeys (Table 3.6). Copper, however, may indirectly affect avian wildlife by curtailing certain prey species. Winger et al. (1984), for example, show that apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) are not only extremely susceptible to copper (LC50 of 24 to 57 pg/L in 96 h immatures most sensitive), but are the primary food of the snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis), an endangered species. The decline of the apple snail in southern Florida coincided with the use of copper-diquat to control hydrilla aquatic weeds (Hydrilla verticillata), with serious implications for the snail kite (Winger et al. 1984). 

Spraying of PCP to control populations of water snails in rice fields of Surinam resulted in the death of fish and birds, including snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis), certain egrets and herons, and wattled jacanas (Jacana jacana). Levels of PCP in these birds and their food items suggested that PCP-contaminated food probably caused the deaths (Vermeer et al. 1974) (Table 23.5). 

SNAIL KITE, Rostrhamus sociabilis. Found dead in rice fields after spraying to control snails (Pomacea glauca, P. lineata) — the exclusive food of snail kites. Residues in soft parts of snails found dead after spraying were about 37 mg PCP/kg fresh weight... 

Black kite, Milvus migrans, 101, 800 Red kite, Milvus milvus, 101 Snail kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis, 189, All, 599 Whistling kite, Haliastur sphenurus, 800 JCittiwake, Rissa tridactyla, 438, 857 YAw i, Apteryx spp., 801 Knot, Calidras spp., 436 Kokako, Callaeas cinera, 801... 

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