Abstract
We describe a non-invasive technique to obtain blood samples from incubating birds without trapping and handling. A larval instar of the blood-sucking bug Dipetalogaster maximus (Heteroptera) was put in a hollowed artificial egg which was placed in a common tern Sterna hirundo) nest. A gauze-covered hole in the egg allowed the bug to draw blood from the brood patch of breeding adults. We successfully collected 68 blood samples of sufficient amount (median=187 μl). The daily success rate was highest during the early breeding season and averaged 34% for all trials. We could not detect any visible response by the incubating bird to the sting of the bug. This technique allows for non-invasive blood collection from bird species of various sizes without disturbance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 115-118 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Ornithology |
Volume | 147 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2006 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Animal Science and Zoology