a whole range of tests and analyses, in addition to weighing and detailed measuring
(see later). It can be time consuming. There is a place for such detailed work—for
instance, when birds of a rare or threatened species are involved—but often it is not
feasible for the avian biologist or veterinarian to carry out a lengthy examination on
each bird that is presented.
Apostmortemexamination form, designed to be comprehensive, is given in
Appendix I.
Such a comprehensive examination involves a whole range of investigations.
It may be best carried out by a team of people but, however, this is often not
feasible, especially in the field.
An abbreviated postmortemexamination protocol, which usually proves suc-
cessful for preliminary investigation, is given below:
- On reception of the specimen, record the history and give the bird a reference
number—always good practice and an essential precaution (to facilitate
“chain of custody”) if legal action is possible. - Examine the bird externally (including beak, buccal cavity, auditory canal,
preen gland, and cloaca)—record (and quantify) any parasites, lesions, or
abnormalities. Comment on plumage and molt, using a standard system—
for example, that advocated by the British Trust for Ornithology (Ginn and
Melville 1983). - Weigh and record standard measurements such as wing chord (carpus),
tarsus, culmen, combined head and bill length and sternum (see also
Chapter 4). A bird’s bodyweight (mass) is of limited value without a mea-
surement of linear dimensions. - Open the bird from the ventral surface by lifting or removing the sternum—
examine superficial internal organs (see Figure 8.1). Record any lesions or
abnormalities. - Remove and set aside heart, liver and gastrointestinal tract (ligate oesoph-
agus and rectum to prevent spillage of contents) and examine deeper inter-
nal organs (see Figure 8.2). Record any lesions or abnormalities. - Fix in buffered formalin (10%) small portions of lung, liver, kidney plus
any organ or tissue showing an abnormality (see Table 8.5). - Open portions of intestine and look with naked eye or hand lens for food,
other material (e.g. pellets), lesions and parasites. Examination is facilitat-
ed if the material is placed in a Petri dish with a little saline. Save any para-
sites and make an effort to quantify them, for example, by estimating the
proportion of the intestine examined and counting the number of para-
sites seen.
188 |Information from dead and dying birds