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We plan to incorporate Northwestern Crows, which have been increasingly reported with beak deformities, into the next phase of research. Crows are better candidates than chickadees for some contaminants testing due to their larger body size. In addition, crows’ use of the intertidal zone for feeding indicates that the marine system may also be affected and deserves further study.
For crows and other species documented with beak deformities, we will determine where and how many birds are affected. Reports from local communities are very important and we appreciate public help in this effort! We will conduct some of the same contaminants tests on crows as we did on chickadees in order to develop cross-species comparisons. In particular, previous studies have documented abnormal growth in skin, nail, beaks, and other epidermal cells resulting from exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals. Because the mechanism of growth is similar among different physiological expressions of keratin, this class of contaminants deserves further attention. We will also identify the primary food sources of Northwestern Crows and sample these items for contaminants testing and nutritional analysis.
More pathology work will help provide additional clues about the mechanism of growth and may help direct our future efforts. Captive work in controlled conditions will allow us to better understand patterns of beak growth and potential causes of overgrowth.
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