Only 3 feathers are necessary
Take feathers is probably one of the simplest samples to perform DNA testing on birds.
Collect feathers
For medium species, such as the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), take 4 feathers from the back. For large species, such as the African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), take 2 feathers from the back. For small species such as the goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), take 2 tail feathers. Pin feathers on chicks are accepted (follicular feather). In this case, take 4 or 5 pins of 2 cm minimum.
The 3 most common mistakes
- Do not take the fallen feathers on the ground but tear off the feathers on the bird.
- Do not use plastic bags.
- Make sure the tip of the feather is present (calamus). In chicks of some species (Psittacus genus, Poicephalus genus), young feathers tend to break between the feather and the tip of the feather.