EFFECT OF ROOK FAECES ON HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN SOIL AT NESTLING SITES

The content of Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd and Pb in rook faeces from two colonies roosting in urban parks in Eastern Poland (Siedlce and Biala Podlaska) and the effect of the colonies upon the metals content in soil were analyzed. The analysis was carried out by comparing the chemical composition of soils at the nestling sites and at the control sites. Differences showed in metals content in the faeces depended on the localization of colonies. The colony from the former site significantly contributed to the content of Cu, Fe, Zn and Cd in soil. Neither of the rook colonies affected soil Pb levels. The chemical composition of rook faeces reflected the quality of the environment in which rooks feed. Our study findings show that the rook is particularly sensitive to local changes in metals content in the environment.