Hi, All - just a note to let you know that the Ornithological Council has a short document explaining how to preserve a bird carcass for science. Short version below my sig. Meanwhile, the lawyer in me feels obliged to say that of course you know that you can't do this without a scientific collecting permit from the USFWS, but I'd be very suprised if the USFWS Division of Law Enforcement doesn't have better things to worry about. We've been suggesting to them for years that they develop a formal regulation to deal with this situation. 

If you need help finding a permit-holder (museum, teaching collection, toxicologist, or other researcher with a permit) who wants your speciment, please feel free to contact me.

Ellen Paul
Chevy Chase MD


To save a bird for science:

Place each bird and its associated tag or label in a separate clear plastic bag. Using clear plastic bags is helpful when possible because then the receiving party can immediately see the specimen and determine its identity, quality, and preparation or sampling future.The bag should be closed and most of the air squeezed out to minimize freeze drying. Ziploc bags or bags that are heat sealed are best. It is helpful to place this bag in a second closed bag, particularly if the specimen is going to be stored in a freezer for some time before it is donated to the museum. For large birds, kitchen trash bags or larger trash bags are acceptable, but please be sure to close the bag tightly.

On the label, write (in waterproof ink or pencil):

- Date bird taken from the wild 
- Date bird brought to you
- Date bird died

Please write dates as date-month-year (“12 December 2004”). Please write the month in letters.

- Where the bird was found. Be as specific as possible. 

- Your name and contact information. The museums are required to obtain and maintain this information, and your name and contact information enables the museum to contact you  if more data about the specimen are required (for example, sometimes the ink runs or the writing is illegible). For permanently preserved specimens you can receive credit on the permanent museum label for obtaining the specimen. 

- Optional: Cause of injury, if known; medical reports, including lab results (especially toxicology), medications, necropsy.

Optional: If you really want to do a professional job, put a wad of absorbent cotton or tissue down the bird's throat to prevent fluids from seeping out onto the plumage, then arrange the bird in the bag so the feathers (especially the tail) aren't bent and the head, neck, wings, or legs aren't projecting at awkward angles (they are easily broken when frozen).