Experimental Starlings Sturnus vulgaris after capture in an unpolluted region of north-eastern Poland were transported south - to the neighbourhood of the largest Polish zinc plant. There they were exposed in cages for 8 days. The contaminated group - (C) of the birds was fed with local Orthoptera insects, and the uncontaminated group - (UC) obtained food without metals. Every second day representatives of each group were killed. Levels of lead and cadmium were analyzed with the AAS method in livers, kidneys, brains, femurs, breast muscles, stomach contents, faeces, carcasses and various types of feathers. Found among the Starlings from group "C" was a rapid increase of Pb concentration in liver, brain and kidney as well as of Cd in kidney and liver. A great number of contaminants was also absorbed on the surface of the plumage Accumulated amounts of metals may be significant not only to individual birds but also to consumers at higher levels.
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