Prof. Ryan Norris, of the Department of Integrative Biology, offered his thoughts to CBC News.ca on a new study that suggests that neonicotinoid pesticides may be harming  birds that migrate during spring planting season.

The research found that when sparrows ate small doses of neonic-coated seeds, they quickly lost weight at a time when they should be fattening up and delayed their migration to their breeding ground by several days.

Norris was not involved in the research but is an expert on migrating birds and insects.

He said the effects demonstrated in the study were “striking.” He added it’s important to next look at how the doses used in the study compare to actual exposure in wild birds, and whether the pesticides affect survival or reproduction of these birds.

Norris is an ecologist interested in the behaviour and conservation of migratory animals, birds and insects. He seeks to understand how habitat quality influences the abundance of migratory species and to predict their population dynamics