Contaminant data from bald eagles in the Upper-Midwest of the US. Dataset contains five tables in total including details of sample collection locations, organic contaminant data, and exposure-activity ratios (EARs) individual samples and chemicals. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Elliott, S., W. Route, L. DeCicco, D. VanderMeulen, S. Corsi, and B. Blackwell. Contaminants in bald eagles of the upper Midwestern U.S.: A framework for prioritizing future research based on in-vitro bioassays. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, USA, 244: 861-870, (2019).

The files contains certified data extracted from the GLKN Bald Eagle Bioaccumulative Contaminants Monitoring database, which includes data for bald eagle morphology and a variety of contaminants from 2006-2015. This data is for the three main study areas which are around three parks (APIS, MISS, and SACN), as well as two study areas that are adjacent (MISS Pools 3+4 and WI Lake Superior Shoreline). The primary focus of the program was on bald eagle nestlings, but some data does exist for sub-adults and adults. The GLKN Bald Eagle Bioaccumulative Contaminants Monitoring Database is designed to hold field and lab data and to disseminate certified data in a variety of ways.

The files contains certified data extracted from the GLKN Bald Eagle Bioaccumulative Contaminants Monitoring database, which includes data for bald eagle morphology and a variety of contaminants from 2006-2015. This data is for the three main study areas which are around three parks (APIS, MISS, and SACN), as well as two study areas that are adjacent (MISS Pools 3+4 and WI Lake Superior Shoreline). The primary focus of the program was on bald eagle nestlings, but some data does exist for sub-adults and adults. The GLKN Bald Eagle Bioaccumulative Contaminants Monitoring Database is designed to hold field and lab data and to disseminate certified data in a variety of ways.

The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) measured environmental contaminants in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) to evaluate dietary exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides (AR), which was identified by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a priority issue of concern for the Mountain Prairie Region 6. Carcasses of bald eagles (n = 172) and golden eagles (n = 142) collected from North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, and Kansas between 2014-2017 were assessed for cause of death and liver lead, mercury, and AR levels. Trauma, electrocution, and lead poisoning were the 3 leading causes of death, affecting 51%, 21%, and 20% of eagles, respectively. Trauma was the leading cause of death for both species, while lead poisoning was the second leading cause of death for bald eagles (31%) and was only diagnosed as the cause of death in 7% of golden eagles. Elevated lead levels within the range of subclinical or clinical poisoning (>2 mg/kg wet weight) were present in 25% of eagles tested, including 36% of bald eagles and 11% of golden eagles. No association was detected between lead exposure and trauma, electrocution, or infectious disease. Mercury levels were considered high (>80 mg per kilogram dry weight) for only 2% of bald eagles and no golden eagles. Brodifacoum was the most common AR detected, present in 56% of eagles, including 70% of bald eagles and 39% of golden eagles. However, death was not directly attributed to AR toxicosis in any case.

The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) measured environmental contaminants in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) to evaluate dietary exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides (AR), which was identified by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a priority issue of concern for the Mountain Prairie Region 6. Carcasses of bald eagles (n = 172) and golden eagles (n = 142) collected from North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, and Kansas between 2014-2017 were assessed for cause of death and liver lead, mercury, and AR levels. Trauma, electrocution, and lead poisoning were the 3 leading causes of death, affecting 51%, 21%, and 20% of eagles, respectively. Trauma was the leading cause of death for both species, while lead poisoning was the second leading cause of death for bald eagles (31%) and was only diagnosed as the cause of death in 7% of golden eagles. Elevated lead levels within the range of subclinical or clinical poisoning (>2 mg/kg wet weight) were present in 25% of eagles tested, including 36% of bald eagles and 11% of golden eagles. No association was detected between lead exposure and trauma, electrocution, or infectious disease. Mercury levels were considered high (>80 mg per kilogram dry weight) for only 2% of bald eagles and no golden eagles. Brodifacoum was the most common AR detected, present in 56% of eagles, including 70% of bald eagles and 39% of golden eagles. However, death was not directly attributed to AR toxicosis in any case.

We collected blood samples from 237 live bald and 383 live golden eagles, and liver, femur, and feather samples from 322 dead bald and 268 dead golden eagles during all seasons of the year and from states in each of the four major flyways throughout the continental U.S.A. Additionally, we collected blood from 21 bald and 2 golden eagles upon admission to rehabilitation facilities and then we collected liver and femur tissue from these birds after their subsequent death. Whenever possible, birds were aged as adult, subadult, or juvenile and date of sample collection was recorded; in some cases it was not possible to collect this information because molt data were insufficient for aging or because eagle carcasses were found months after death. Samples were conducted under scientific collecting and bird banding permits issued by the appropriate state and federal authorities and, in the case of live animal collections, with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Protocols. All samples were initially received, archived and prepared for analysis at the U.S. Geological Survey in Boise, ID, under U.S. Migratory Bird Scientific Collecting Permit #MB41892B or its predecessors, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Collection/Banding/Possession permit #110728. For additional details on sample collection and for methods on how samples were analyzed and lead data collected, please see the larger work citation associated with this dataset: Slabe et al. 2022.

We collected blood samples from 237 live bald and 383 live golden eagles, and liver, femur, and feather samples from 322 dead bald and 268 dead golden eagles during all seasons of the year and from states in each of the four major flyways throughout the continental U.S.A. Additionally, we collected blood from 21 bald and 2 golden eagles upon admission to rehabilitation facilities and then we collected liver and femur tissue from these birds after their subsequent death. Whenever possible, birds were aged as adult, subadult, or juvenile and date of sample collection was recorded; in some cases it was not possible to collect this information because molt data were insufficient for aging or because eagle carcasses were found months after death. Samples were conducted under scientific collecting and bird banding permits issued by the appropriate state and federal authorities and, in the case of live animal collections, with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Protocols. All samples were initially received, archived and prepared for analysis at the U.S. Geological Survey in Boise, ID, under U.S. Migratory Bird Scientific Collecting Permit #MB41892B or its predecessors, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Collection/Banding/Possession permit #110728. For additional details on sample collection and for methods on how samples were analyzed and lead data collected, please see the larger work citation associated with this dataset: Slabe et al. 2022.

The breast feathers of 13 bald eagles were collected at 11 locations during 2014 to 2016 along rivers and sloughs on or near to Bad River tribal lands and analyzed for total mercury (Hg) concentrations. An age (7 - 9 weeks) was indicated for only two of the eagle feather samples. The eagle feathers sampled were likely all from nestlings, but this could be confirmed for only two of the eagles. Neither the collection of feather samples nor the Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.

The breast feathers of 13 bald eagles were collected at 11 locations during 2014 to 2016 along rivers and sloughs on or near to Bad River tribal lands and analyzed for total mercury (Hg) concentrations. An age (7 - 9 weeks) was indicated for only two of the eagle feather samples. The eagle feathers sampled were likely all from nestlings, but this could be confirmed for only two of the eagles. Neither the collection of feather samples nor the Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.