Biodiversity Research Institute has recently verified that our beloved songbirds are the latest birds being poisoned from methylmercury in the air that is absorbed by leaves they eat and environments they come in contact with. The latest data shows that elevated levels of mercury have affected a number of species from the Northeast, as well as loons, bald eagles, bats and mammals. The study showed that songbirds in particular that are mercury toxic cannot hit high singing notes while trying to mate – this has adversely affected reproduction, egg hatching, vocalization, and mother birds abandoning their nests.
While recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mercury standards are scheduled to take effect over the next four years, our animal kingdom is in jeopardy of continuing to be poisoned. New law reductions aren’t expected to affect the toxicity of the air for another decade or two.
Mercury Poisoning and Songbirds