Effects of color on cadmium and lead levels in avian contour feathers

The use of feathers has been proposed as a noninvasive tissue for biomonitoring metal levels in birds and their ecosystems. We examined cadmium and lead levels in black and white contour feathers from common (Sterna hirundo) and sooty (S. fuscata) terns, and black skimmers (Rynchops niger) to determine if there were significant differences in metal levels related to the melanin content of the feathers. There were no significant differences in metals in black versus white body feathers in any of the three species; correlations between metal residues from individual birds were low.