PDFDOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/vzoo-2016-0030
Collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis Temminck, 1815), have more opportunities to accumulate heavy metals due to migration but they are more resistant to contamination in contrast to tits, (Parus major Linnaeus, 1758, Parus caeruleus Linnaeus, 1758). This research aimed to detect concentrations of some trace elements in eggs of the collared fl ycatcher, great tit and blue tit in diff erent areas. There were found differences in heavy metal concentrations in the eggs among species and study areas. For collared flycatchers there were not established consistent patterns of changes in element concentrations among areas. The highest heavy metal levels were found in tits in samples of egg contents from a forest park (Pb — 3.1410 ± 0.3249, Cu — 19.3290 ± 1.4840, Zn — 66.9612 ± 17.6665, Fe — 249.5513 ± 40.2800, Mn — 6.9032 ± 0.2946, Ca — 8298.3570 ± 0.1080, Sr — 17.6032 ± 0.7512, Ni — 0.5177 ± 0.0220). The lowest concentrations were found in egg contents of tits in Hetmanskyi National Nature Park (Cu — 4.3492 ± 0.2079, Fe — 44.6647 ± 0.2627, Mn — 1.3194 ± 0.2374, Ca — 998.7001 ± 0.0006, Ni — 0.2443 ± 0.0439, Cr — 0.1466 ± 0.0424). The results indicate that heavy metals accumulated diff erently in shells and contents of eggs of collared flycatchers and tits in each of the study area. Some of microelements (zinc, mercury, iron, manganese, selenium and iodine) in small amounts are required for normal growth and development of birds. Heavy metal concentrations in egg shells and egg contents of all species did not exceed permissible levels.