Modelling effects of chemical exposure on birds wintering in agricultural landscapes: The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) as a case study

► We model chronic pesticide exposure on birds wintering in agro-ecosystems. ► Submodels depict foraging behavior, and chemical transfer to soil, prey, and birds. ► Model sensitivity was associated with estimates of half-lives and dermal exposure. ► Burrowing owls may be more at risk from insecticides than other agro-chemicals. ► The model can be parameterized for other avian risk assessments of agro-chemicals.