Bird Ecology and Conservation A Handbook of Techniques

8. After examination save the bird’s carcase, frozen or fixed in formalin
   (see later).


9. Record how and where the body and samples have been saved and include
   a reminder that they may need to be processed or discarded at a later date.

Again, health and safety considerations apply—see earlier. Some hazards are
physical (e.g. a cut from a scalpel), others biological (e.g. inhalation of bacteria

Postmortemexaminations (necropsies)| 189

Oesophagus

Trachea

Crop

Lung

Intestines

Heart

Stomach

(ventriculus or

“gizzard”)

Cloaca (empty)

Two lobes of

liver

Fig. 8.1Appearance of superficial internal organs when the sternum is first lifted
(drawing by Pamela Athene Smith).