In this study we investigated the accumulation, tissue-specific distribution and possible debromination of BDE 209 in a terrestrial songbird species, the European starling, using silastic implants as a method of exposure. BDE 209 accumulated in the blood of the exposed starlings to a mean peak concentration of 16±4.1ng/ml on day 10. After this peak, there was a decline to 3.3±0.4ng/ml blood at the end of the exposure period of 76days, which suggests elimination of BDE 209. In the exposed group, the muscle concentrations (461ng/g lipid weight [lw], 430ng/g lw) were about twofold those in liver (269ng/g lw, 237ng/g lw). In addition to BDE 209, other PBDE congeners, particularly octa- and nonaBDEs, were also present in the muscle and liver, suggesting bioformation from BDE 209. To our knowledge, these results are the first indications for the debromination of BDE 209 in birds.