Butyltin residues in migratory and resident birds collected from South India

Butyltin compounds (BTs) such as mono‐ (MBT), di‐ (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) were determined in soft tissue homogenates and feathers of resident and migratory birds collected from South India. Concentrations of SBTs (sum of TBT + DBT + MBT) in soft tissue body homogenates were comparable between residents (< 8.0‐ < 27 ng/g) and migrants (< 8.0–28 ng/ g). On the other hand, concentrations in feathers were much greater than in soft tissue body homogenates and were also comparable between residents (14–190 ng/g) and migrants (< 9.9–300 ng/g). The total BT burden in consolidated feathers was about 36%. The sex differences in concentrations and burdens of BTs were less pronounced in birds. Among BT compounds examined, MBT occupied a major proportion, followed by DBT and TBT in most resident and migratory birds. Comparison of BT concentrations with birds from other parts of the world revealed that the Indian birds were less contaminated. To our knowledge, this is a first report on the detection of BTs in birds collected from developing countries.