Blood
vs Feather?
DNA sexing has become the preferred method for identifying the sex
of monomorphic birds (male and females having no external differences).
DNA sexing can be performed with blood, feather or eggshell
samples. Blood from birds is an excellent source of DNA and for many
years a blood sample was the only means used to collect a DNA sample.
However, sometimes collecting a blood sample is inconvenient, and
occasionally even impossible. With recent advances in DNA technology,
we can now extract the necessary DNA to be able to determine sex from
just a few plucked feathers. Both blood and feather samples are equally
reliable and provide the same level of testing accuracy. DNA is DNA
no matter where it is extracted from. The method you choose depends
on your preference. |
This is a gel picture
of the DNA that
identifies males and females.
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DNA
Sex Identification from an Eggshell
In 1999 several raptor (falcons, eagles, hawks, etc.) breeders in
the US and Europe wanted a non-invasive method to sex their chicks.
Results were needed within a week after hatching to give the breeder
an opportunity to hand raise the chick or place it back in the nest
with its mother. Studies showed that material left behind after hatching
contained large amount of vascular material which could be reliably
used for sex identification. Five years later we sex thousands of
birds a year using the shells they have left behind after hatching.
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