Anthropogenic lead use has resulted in widespread environmental lead contamination known to affect wildlife populations worldwide. Ecotoxicological investigations in wild birds have thus far prioritised waterfowl and raptor species and primarily addressed contamination in natural ecosystems. Urban areas are increasingly associated with high levels of heavy metal contamination, however the risk of lead exposure in urban wildlife is less well known. This study investigates lead exposure in an urban population of North Island Kaka (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis), an endemic New Zealand parrot. The inquisitive nature of these birds, an expanding urban population and increased availability of food in the urban environment are the primary factors implicated in their dispersal into urban areas where there is increased exposure to anthropogenic sources of lead. Blood lead concentrations were assessed in free-ranging birds to quantify the prevalence and magnitude of lead exposure. The impact of lead on physiological and neurological function was assessed using behavioural and clinical examinations. Finally, lead stable isotope analysis was employed to investigate lead in roofing material as a potential source of exposure in the urban environment. Results indicate a significant prevalence of lead exposure in this population (43.2%) with a maximum recorded plasma concentration of 50.7 μg/dL. Although no mortality was observed during this study, lead exposure was associated with reduced body condition in kaka. Behavioural changes were present in one individual with the highest recorded blood lead concentration. Lead isotope values of roof-collected rainwater overlapped with kaka blood lead isotope values, suggesting this to be an important source of exposure in this population. The prevalence of lead exposure observed in this study suggests that lead is a toxin of importance to kaka in this urban area. Wildlife intoxications largely result from anthropogenic lead sources and this study identifies a previously undescribed urban source of lead for wildlife.

人为使用铅导致广泛的环境铅污染，已知会影响全球野生动植物种群。迄今为止，对野生鸟类的生态毒理学调查已将水禽和猛禽种类列为优先事项，并主要针对自然生态系统中的污染。城市地区越来越多地与高水平的重金属污染相关联，但是，人们对城市野生生物中铅暴露的风险知之甚少。这项研究调查了北岛卡卡（Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis）城市人口的铅暴露），这是一种地方性的新西兰鹦鹉。这些鸟类的好奇性，城市人口的增长以及城市环境中食物的供应增加是其散布到城市地区的主要因素，在这些地区，人为铅源的暴露量增加。在自由放养的禽类中评估了血铅浓度，以量化铅暴露的发生率和程度。使用行为和临床检查评估了铅对生理和神经功能的影响。最后，采用铅稳定同位素分析法研究了屋顶材料中的铅，将其作为城市环境中潜在的暴露源。结果表明该人群中铅暴露的患病率很高（43.2％），最大记录血浆浓度为50.7μg/ dL。尽管在这项研究中未观察到死亡率，但铅的摄入与卡卡人的身体状况下降有关。一名行为的变化存在于记录的最高血铅浓度的个体中。屋顶收集的雨水的铅同位素值与卡卡血铅同位素值重叠，表明这是该人群中暴露的重要来源。在这项研究中观察到的铅暴露流行率表明，铅是该城市地区对卡卡（Kaka）重要的毒素。野生生物中毒主要来自人为铅源，这项研究确定了以前未描述的城市野生动植物铅源。一名行为的变化存在于记录的最高血铅浓度的个体中。屋顶收集的雨水的铅同位素值与卡卡血铅同位素值重叠，表明这是该人群中暴露的重要来源。在这项研究中观察到的铅暴露流行率表明，铅是该城市地区对卡卡（Kaka）重要的毒素。野生生物中毒主要来自人为铅源，这项研究确定了以前未描述的城市野生动植物铅源。一名行为的变化存在于记录的最高血铅浓度的个体中。屋顶收集的雨水的铅同位素值与卡卡血铅同位素值重叠，表明这是该人群中暴露的重要来源。在这项研究中观察到的铅暴露流行率表明，铅是该城市地区对卡卡（Kaka）重要的毒素。野生生物中毒主要来自人为铅源，这项研究确定了以前未描述的城市野生动植物铅源。在这项研究中观察到的铅暴露流行率表明，铅是该城市地区对卡卡（Kaka）重要的毒素。野生生物中毒主要来自人为铅源，这项研究确定了以前未描述的城市野生动植物铅源。在这项研究中观察到的铅暴露流行率表明，铅是该城市地区对卡卡（Kaka）重要的毒素。野生生物中毒主要来自人为铅源，这项研究确定了以前未描述的城市野生动植物铅源。