As surprising as it may sound, researchers have recently found that mercury in foods that wild birds eat from their environment can actually cause them to exhibit some homosexual behavior. The subjects for the experiment were white male ibises, who were found to choose other males as their mates after having been exposed to mercury-contaminated foods like fish. The experiment’s leader, Peter Frederick, explained that the male-male ibises performed mating rituals that male-female couples do (like building a nest and living together), except of course, the ability to procreate.

The research found that these white ibises, commonly found in Florida, commonly fed on invertebrates, crustaceans and fish that have may have high levels of mercury in them. These smaller animals apparently soak up the mercury from the waste incineration from nearby industrial plants.

Although the mercury does not directly affect the birds’ health, one major concern persists: If the male ibises become gay, they will no longer mate with female birds, and there will be a decrease in the population of these birds. The study revealed that even females who were exposed to mercury ended up producing 35% lesser baby ibises than those who did not consume any mercury-containing foods.  

Mercury, dangerous to humans who are trying to become pregnant and those who are already pregnant, affect childbearing abilities because it is a known endocrine disruptor, which is a substance that blocks natural estrogen production. In males, mercury mimics the effects of estrogen, and this is why their testosterone levels go down, and they lose interest in mating with females.