Leiden University
Question
Asked 31st Oct, 2018
What is the best and safest method for taking DNA from small songbird chicks?
I study Grey Fantails that only weigh around 8 grams as adults. I am interested in paternity and want to get there DNA. However, these birds have high rates of predation and often don't survive long enough to wait until they are large enough to take blood.
I have see buccal swabs as a method used to get DNA and was wondering if people have been successful on such small birds? Or do you know of any better methods? Thanks.
Most recent answer
Dear Nadya,
I have the same experience as Sergei: plucking (not cutting!) one or two breast feathers has a relatively low impact on birds, and these feathers hold a wealth of information. They can be used for several types of analyses (we analysed mtDNA and sex). I never tried it on passerine chicks, but I did use this method (a lot) on chiffchaffs - these are around 8 grams. While this species seems to be relatively vulnerable to handling (compared to species of the same size) in the first place, I never witnessed any problems plucking feathers.
I store the feathers in small parchment envelopes, in a cool and dry place, but not even in the freezer. Make sure you do not touch the base of the feather, in order to avoid contamination with human tissue.
If you need more info, do not hesitate to contact me.
Good luck!
Vincent van der Spek
All Answers (5)
Molecular Systematics and Wildlife Forensic
Hi!
in our lab, we usually extract DNA using Qiagen kit Blood & Tissue extraction kit from several birds from blood, feathers, and feces, with some modification.
Perhaps the safest way is to use feces for DNA extraction.
You can also extract DNA from feces using the method according to the QIAamp® DNA Stool kit
University of New England (Australia)
Hello,
Thanks for your response I will look into that. Do you have a copy of your labs paper that use that methodology that you could send? I foresee one potential issue in doing this with our species. The first is getting enough of a fecal to process they are really small birds and the parents will often eat or carry away the feces to reduce scent.
Also is the feces just frozen upon collection or is it put in any kind of solution? From my quick read of the link I believe it was just fresh or frozen but it was somewhat unclear.
Thanks again,
Nadya
A growing feather has blood at the base. It can be plucked and preserved in 96% ethanol if freezing is not an option. Blood is a great source of DNA in birds due to high density of nucleated erythrocytes. Even a tiny feather provides enough DNA for PCR based work. PCR-free approaches may need several feathers from a small bird.
Loyola Marymount University
I also recommend this paper for recommendations.
I can send a PDF if you need access.
Leiden University
Dear Nadya,
I have the same experience as Sergei: plucking (not cutting!) one or two breast feathers has a relatively low impact on birds, and these feathers hold a wealth of information. They can be used for several types of analyses (we analysed mtDNA and sex). I never tried it on passerine chicks, but I did use this method (a lot) on chiffchaffs - these are around 8 grams. While this species seems to be relatively vulnerable to handling (compared to species of the same size) in the first place, I never witnessed any problems plucking feathers.
I store the feathers in small parchment envelopes, in a cool and dry place, but not even in the freezer. Make sure you do not touch the base of the feather, in order to avoid contamination with human tissue.
If you need more info, do not hesitate to contact me.
Good luck!
Vincent van der Spek
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