Birds - Finding dead birds















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Finding dead birds

Page contents

Introduction
What to do
Preserving
Documentation
Getting specimens to the Museum
Uses
Contacts

Introduction

The Australian Museum welcomes donations by the public of birds found dead. This is a major source of specimen acquisition by the Museum. Almost any dead bird is of value to the Museum's activities. Even common species are valuable contributions, but fresh undamaged carcasses, uncommon species and specimens from non-urban areas are particularly welcome. Museum staff always prefer the option of keeping or discarding the bird after they have received it.

The Museum holds the necessary permits to possess protected native birds (and other wildlife). Although technically members of the public should have a licence to have in their possession native birds or any parts thereof, this is permitted in New South Wales as long as the specimen is being passed to the Museum. It is illegal to retain the specimen or parts of it without the appropriate permission from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Dead birds found interstate should be taken to the local state museum - it is illegal to carry these across state borders without the appropriate permits.

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What to do

Preserving
Dead birds should be placed it in a sealed plastic bag. If the Museum will receive them within a few hours, the birds can be kept cool in a refrigerator. In most instances, however, it will not be possible in such a short period. In this case, birds should be frozen until arrangements can made to get them to the Museum. Birds stored in this manner can be safely kept for extended periods without becoming unsuitable for specimens. Even carcasses that are 'going off' are still valuable; they are ideal for the production of skeletons.

Documentation
The importance of proper documentation cannot be overly stressed; a specimen without it has limited scientific value. Include a note in the bag indicating where the bird was found, when it was found and, if you wish your name to be perpetuated in the Museum records, who found it. As soft part colours (iris, bill, legs) may change with age, these should be noted if possible. Any other relevant information can be added, such as suspected cause of death. Also give contact details if you want to have an identification confirmed.

Getting specimens to the Museum
Specimens can be delivered to the Museum at any time. Staff of the Bird Section are generally available from Monday to Friday during working hours. In their absence or on weekends and public holidays, specimens can be given to staff in search & discover, the Museum's enquiry and information centre, who will keep it frozen until they can forward it to the Bird Section. After hours, Security staff at the William Street entrance will ensure that specimens are placed in a freezer and the Bird Section staff notified.

Some National Parks offices have freezers in which they keep dead birds that have been found or brought in. Periodically, Museum staff visit the offices to clear the freezers and return the specimens to the Museum. If you contact the Bird Section, your nearest such drop off point can be identified.

For particularly rare or valuable specimens found in the Sydney area, a Museum staff member may be able to pick the specimen up from your home or business.

For parts of the state that lack a convenient drop off point, other arrangements may be made. Contact the Museum to discuss the possibilities.

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Uses

There are many uses to which such specimens may be put. Two of the major ones are in public programs, such as public galleries, Search & Discover, teaching collections or traveling exhibits, and, in research, as part of the Museum's collections and in exchange programs with other institutions. For an explanation of the types and uses of bird specimens, visit our Tour of Collections.

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Contacts

search & discover, Australian Museum, Sydney, ph. (+612) 9320 6202; fax (+612) 9320 6065; Email Search & Discover; open 9.30 am - 5 pm, seven days a week.

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