Lead Concentrations of White-winged Doves, Zenaida asiatica L., Collected in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, USA.

White-winged dove ( Zenaida asiatica L.) exposure to environmentally accessible lead is a management concern. Detectable concentrations of lead were found in 142 (66%) of 214 white-winged doves collected in 2002 and 2003 at two wildlife management units in South Texas. Mean ± SD lead concentration was 0.70 ± 1.10 μg/g dry weight and ranged from ND to 11.01 μg/g dw. Lead concentrations were significantly lower in the 2002 samples, but similar between management units, age, and gender. White-winged doves in South Texas are being exposed to lead in the environment with some reaching subclinical to toxic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]