Effects of Fog Oil Smoke on the Hatchability and Fledgling Survival of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), a Nestling Surrogate for the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

摘要

Eggs and nestlings of captive house sparrows (Passer domesticus) were exposed for 30 minutes to either field typical (100 mg/cu m) or higher (450 mg/ cu m) concentrations of fog oil aerosols. Nest boxes were excavated according to the internal dimensions of natural cavities of the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and the fog oil concentration within the artificial and natural cavities compared to ensure exposure realism. Internal concentrations stabilized at about 75 percent of the external airborne concentration of fog oil. Deposition of fog oil on eggs was measured and found to be low but greater than found on eggs placed outside the nest boxes. Although exposures were made during sensitive development periods (first 5 days of embryonic or nestling growth), no adverse effect on hatchability, fledgling production and survivability were observed.