A non-invasive technique to bleed incubating birds without trapping: A blood-sucking bug in a hollow egg
Journal of Ornithology
By: P.H. Becker, C.C. Voigt, J.M. Arnold, and R. Nagel
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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 ??l). 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. ?? Dt. Ornithologen-Gesellschaft e.V. 2005.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | A non-invasive technique to bleed incubating birds without trapping: A blood-sucking bug in a hollow egg |
| Series title | Journal of Ornithology |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10336-005-0027-3 |
| Volume | 147 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2006 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Ornithology |
| First page | 115 |
| Last page | 118 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |