Deuterium Measurements of Raptor Feathers: Does a Lack of Reproducibility Compromise Geographic Assignment?

Abstract.— Despite the widespread use of stable isotopes in studies of avian movement, key assumptions on which the methodology is based remain unsubstantiated, including the assumption that measurements of stable hydrogen isotopes in feathers (δDf) are consistent across time within the same laboratory or among laboratories using the same analytical protocols and keratin standards. We tested this assumption by remeasuring δDf from 211 raptor feathers within and between laboratories. Initial and repeat samples were prepared and analyzed using identical protocols but analyzed in distinct automated runs with laboratory staff blind to sample identity. Reproducibility of δDf measurements varied significantly and substantially among nine independent sample groups. Feather δD measurements among sample groups exhibited average isotopic shifts from -15.6%‰ to +27.5%‰ (an absolute difference of 43.1%‰), with standard deviations from 6.0%‰ to 12.4%‰. Therefore, despite existing analytical protocols to address issues...