Understanding Lead Toxicity in Birds: How It Happens, Common Symptoms and Actions to Take

Lead toxicity is a serious issue for birds across the U.S. and beyond—but it’s one we have the power to change. Each year, an estimated 10-20 million animals are affected by lead poisoning in the U.S. alone, and birds are among the hardest hit. 

Some species, like the majestic California condor, the iconic bald eagle and the beautiful common loon, are especially vulnerable. For these birds, even the loss of a few breeding adults can have a big impact on the health of their populations. 

The good news? Every bird saved matters—not just for that individual life, but for the future of the entire species and the ecosystems they call home. By working together to address lead toxicity in birds, we can help protect these incredible creatures for generations to come.

Exploring Common Causes of Lead Poisoning in Birds

Lead poisoning in birds often traces back to human activities. The most common sources of exposure are fragments of spent ammunition and fishing tackle left in the environment. Birds can’t recognize lead’s danger—they ingest it unknowingly, often while feeding or scavenging.

Spent Ammunition

When hunters use lead-based bullets, fragments can remain in carcasses or fall to the ground. Scavenging birds, such as eagles and vultures, may then ingest these fragments while feeding on gut piles or carcasses left behind. Even tiny fragments of lead can be fatal—just a few pieces can be enough to cause lethal poisoning.

Fishing Tackle

Fishing tackle and sinkers present another major risk. Loons and other water birds may swallow lead weights while foraging or accidentally strike at baited hooks and lines. In some cases, birds eat fish that have ingested or become entangled in tackle, leading to indirect poisoning. A single ingested fishing sinker can be deadly.

Environmental Contamination

Mining operations have historically released lead-laden waste into rivers and lakes. One notable example is Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene River system, where decades of mining waste left sediments heavily contaminated with lead. Tundra swans feeding on plant roots and tubers in these contaminated muds suffered severe poisoning events. 

Lead contamination can persist in the environment for decades—long after the source has ceased operation—by entering the food chain through plants and water sources.

Understanding How Lead Affects Birds

Once ingested, lead is absorbed into a bird’s bloodstream and transported to vital organs and tissues. The potent toxin then disrupts normal physiological processes.

Lead can be particularly harmful to the nervous system, causing impaired coordination, tremors, and seizures. Birds that survive initial poisoning may continue to suffer from neurological deficits, reducing their ability to find food, avoid predators or even migrate effectively.

In some cases, lead’s interference with red blood cell production leads to anemia. Anemic birds may appear lethargic, tire quickly and struggle to maintain their normal activity levels. Combined with neurological issues, this can quickly create a cascade of problems.

Bird Species at Higher Risk for Lead Poisoning

Some bird species are more vulnerable to lead poisoning because of how they feed or how their bodies process food. Birds at higher risk include:

• Waterfowl (such as ducks and swans): These birds use muscular gizzards to grind up grit and food. Unfortunately, this also grinds down ingested lead pellets or fishing sinkers, making the lead more easily absorbed.
• Raptors (such as hawks, owls, eagles and California condors): Raptors have highly acidic stomach fluids that readily dissolve lead fragments ingested from carcasses or gut piles left by hunters, allowing rapid absorption into their bloodstreams.
• Common Loons: As mentioned before, these striking divers may snap at fishing tackle in the water or consume fish that have swallowed hooks and weights. They also sometimes ingest lead tackle when foraging for grit.
• Scavengers (such as vultures and ravens): Birds that feed on animal remains or gut piles are at particular risk. Similarly, upland game birds like pheasants and quail may accidentally ingest spent lead shot from soil while feeding.

Identifying the Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Birds

Recognizing lead toxicity in birds can be challenging because the early signs are often subtle and nonspecific.

Mild to moderate lead poisoning symptoms include:

• Lethargy and depression
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Regurgitation or vomiting
• Diarrhea, often green and watery
• Reduced fecal output

Severe lead poisoning often progress to neurological symptoms, including:

• Incoordination (ataxia)
• Head and body tremors
• Seizures
• Weakness, with drooping wings
• Paralysis of the legs
• Circling behavior
• Blindness or partial paralysis
• Inability to stand or fly

Some birds may also experience gastrointestinal obstruction, such as abdominal distension and dehydration. Ultimately, the symptoms of lead poisoning in birds can overlap with other conditions, so confirming lead poisoning requires diagnostic testing by a qualified veterinarian.

What to Do if You Suspect a Bird Has Lead Poisoning

If you encounter a bird showing signs of lead poisoning, act quickly—time is of the essence.

• Contact a wildlife veterinarian or licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. They have the expertise and tools to provide appropriate treatment.
• Call for guidance. The Pet Poison Helpline (1‑800‑213‑6680) is available 24/7 and can provide immediate assistance.

How to Effectively Diagnose Lead Poisoning in Birds

Diagnosing lead toxicity in birds involves piecing together clues from the bird’s history, clinical signs and diagnostic tests. Because early treatment can save lives, veterinarians aim to move quickly when they suspect lead exposure.

A veterinarian will typically begin with:

• History and Physical Exam: A veterinarian will begin with a full history—asking questions about where the bird was found, recent behavior changes and any known exposure risks such as hunting areas or fishing lakes. A thorough physical exam follows, checking for common symptoms of lead poisoning in birds. 
• Blood Tests for Lead Levels: The gold standard for diagnosing lead poisoning is measuring blood lead levels. This test directly indicates how much lead is circulating in the bloodstream. While results may take a few days to return from specialized laboratories, they provide definitive confirmation of exposure and severity.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test offers additional insight into how lead is affecting the bird’s health. It can detect a low red blood cell count and anemia. It also evaluates white blood cells, which can indicate stress or concurrent infections, and platelets, which play a role in clotting. Together, these values help veterinarians understand the bird’s overall health status and readiness for treatment.
• X-Rays: Radiographs are especially useful when there’s a possibility of ingested lead objects, such as pellets, fishing sinkers or bullet fragments, lodged in the GI tract. If large objects are present, surgical removal may be necessary in addition to chelation therapy.

Lead toxicity in birds can progress rapidly, and the longer it persists, the more damage it can cause. Prompt testing and swift treatment dramatically improves a bird’s chances of recovery and release back into the wild.

How to Treat Lead Poisoning in Birds with Chelators

Treatment typically involves chelating agents, special medications that bind to lead in the bloodstream and help eliminate it through urine. Common chelators include:

• EDTA: This is one of the most common and trusted chelators used for lead toxicity in birds. It is commonly used and generally safe under veterinary supervision.
• DMSA: This chelator is particularly useful for removing lead stored inside tissues, including the central nervous system—making it a valuable choice for birds with neurological signs of lead poisoning.
• D‑Penicillamine: While most commonly used to treat copper toxicity in birds, it can also bind to lead and other metals. It works by forming stable complexes with these metals, allowing them to be excreted from the body.

These medications must be prescribed by a veterinarian and administered under professional supervision. They have specific dosing protocols and potential side effects. Supportive care, such as fluid therapy, nutritional support and rest, may help improve survival outcomes.

A Community Effort: Preventing Lead Toxicity in Birds

The best way to protect birds from lead poisoning is to reduce exposure before it ever happens—and there are proven ways to make that possible. 

For example, when the U.S. banned lead shot for waterfowl hunting in 1991, cases of lead poisoning in ducks and geese dropped dramatically. This success shows how small adjustments can save lives. Still, lead-based ammunition and fishing tackle are common in many places, especially for big game hunting and recreational fishing. 

Hunters can help by choosing non-toxic alternatives such as solid copper bullets, which are just as effective without leaving toxic fragments behind.  If hunters do use lead ammunition, they can take the extra step to remove or properly bury gut piles to reduce risks for scavenging birds. During wintertime, hunters should avoid covering gut piles in snow since it eventually melts.

For anglers, switching to non-lead fishing tackle is a simple but powerful step. Replacing old gear or encouraging fellow anglers to make the switch can have ripple effects that benefit entire ecosystems. Some states have already restricted certain sizes of lead sinkers. 

The future of many bird species depends on collaboration—between hunters, anglers, bird lovers and policymakers alike. By embracing safer alternatives and sharing knowledge within our communities, we can reduce lead exposure and help these species thrive far into the future.

Treating Lead Toxicity in Birds? Mixlab is Here to Help

At Mixlab, we know how urgent treating lead toxicity in birds is—and we’re here to help every step of the way. Wildlife officers, veterinarians and rehabilitators do incredible work, and our goal is to make sure you have the tools you need, exactly when you need them.

Our wildlife pharmacy offers trusted chelating agents like DMSA and D‑Penicillamine, all available with next‑day delivery to get lifesaving treatments into your hands quickly. Prescriptions can be submitted online, and our team is always here to provide support whenever you need it. Together, we can give every bird its best chance at a full recovery.