Environmental Lead has been long known to represent a health risk to humans, and this knowledge has lead to a ban on lead based paint as well as its use as a fuel additive and household plumbing pipes. Significant efforts have been made towards education of the public and health professionals about the hazards of lead. Many people are aware of this risk. There is significantly less public awareness however, of the hazards that lead represents to waterfowl. In spite of this, scientists have known of these risks for some time.
Birds commonly eat small pebbles to grind food for digestion.
Small lead sinkers and jigs may be mistaken for these pebbles, or lures with fish and lead attached may be consumed by the bird directly. A bird that eats lead will become ill and die. Ingested lead enters the gizzard, where a combination of stomach acids and abrasion breaks down the metal. It then is absorbed into the bloodstream. A bird with lead poisoning will exhibit physical and behavioral changes including loss of balance, gasping, tremors, and an impaired ability to fly.