Feather and muscle of 10 avian species (n = 46), were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Muscle contained significantly higher PCB and OCP than liver and feather. Mean muscle and feather PCB was 408.5 ± 134.5 and 32 ± 4.5 ng/g wet weight. Highly chlorinated PCBs were found in muscle and liver while feather had PCBs with less chlorination. Gulls had highest levels of both pollutants. Gull feather PCB and OCP were strongly correlated with their levels in the liver and muscle tissues (0.6 < r < 0.9, p < 0.01). Analysis of gull feather can be used as a non-invasive method for monitoring organic pollutants.
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