Key factors affecting liver PBDE concentrations in sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus)

► We measured PBDEs in Eurasian sparrowhawks, a sentinel for terrestrial pollution. ► Five PeBDE-associated congeners BDE congeners (99 > 153 > 47 > 100 > 154) predominated. ► Liver ΣPBDEs (43.4-68,040 ng/g l.wt.) were amongst the highest reported in birds. ► Liver ΣPBDE residues were up to 15 fold higher in starved than non-starved birds. ► ΣPBDE residues were greater in adults than juveniles but did not vary with sex.