Blue nests: the use of plastics in the nests of the crested oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) on the Brazilian Amazon coast

Abstract

Birds have been impacted by plastic pollution via entanglement, accidental ingestion, and exposure to chemical contaminants. However, plastics were also observed as a nesting material for several species. For the first time, we describe the occurrence and composition of plastics in the nests of the crested oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) in three sites on the Amazon coast. Plastics were present in 67% of abandoned, fallen nests. At the mangrove site, all nests contained plastics, while at the grassy clearing and the fishermen's village, plastics were present at 35.3 and 90% of the nests, respectively. Blue fibers and ropes were the main plastics observed, probably derived from discarded fishing gear. Of 79 analyzed fibers, 97.5% were composed of Polyethylene, and 83.5% contained Cobalt Phthalocyanine as an additive. Our results showed a widespread use of plastics by P. decumanus, which may increase the exposure of juveniles to potential contaminants.