In a recent study, the brominated flame retardant Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) was found to cause breeding behavioural changes in American kestrels, part of a larger research project lead by Environment Canada ecotoxicology experts Drs. Kim Fernie and Robert Letcher.

This study determined that captive American kestrels, a small bird of prey found in the Americas, experience multiple behavioral changes throughout the reproductive season when exposed to HBCD at the same concentrations as those that have been found in wild peregrine falcon eggs.  Some of these behavioral changes were associated with previously reported reproductive changes in American kestrels. HBCD is a high production volume brominated flame retardant that has been detected in the environment and wildlife at increasing concentrations.

Under closely controlled laboratory conditions, 20 kestrel mating pairs were exposed to HBCD for approximately 75 days and compared with 10 control pairs. During courtship, both male and female kestrels exposed to HBCD called to each other less and were generally less active, and the female birds performed fewer bonding displays.

The reduction in male courtship behavior was correlated with reduced courtship behaviors of the female kestrels as well as smaller egg sizes. When rearing their nestlings, the male kestrels exposed to HBCD performed fewer key parental behaviors, including entering the nest-box, pair-bonding displays and food-retrievals, while their mates appeared to compensate by performing these same behaviors more frequently than controls.

Source: S.C. Marteinson, D. M. Bird,R. J. Letcher, K. M. Sullivan, I. J. Ritchie, K. J. Fernie. 2012. Dietary exposure to technical Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) alters courtship, incubation and parental behaviors in American kestrels (Falco sparverius). Chemosphere. 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.05.073

Contact: Dr. Kim Fernie (905) 336-4843 / Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division