Persistent pollutants in the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract

A study was made of the possible relationship between persistent pollutants and the decline in reproductive success of the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Schleswig Holstein, Federal Republic of Germany. Chemical analyses were made of Eagle's eggs, of one adult Eagle which was found dead, and of specimens of several species of predatory animals and of two Sparrow Hawks which were also found dead. The conclusion is that it is very probable that could be the main factor responsible for the decline of reproductive success of the White-tailed Eagle in Schleswig Holstein.