3. Birds

3.1 Voucher Requirements

Generally, inventory projects do not include the collection of birds. Museum collections should be consulted as a bench mark for each inventory study. Species may be documented using one or more of the following:

• Visual or song identification by qualified observers. This is generally accepted for common species.
• Photographs and sound recordings.
• Complete written descriptions as found on BC Field Ornithologists Rare Bird Report Forms. These are routinely accepted for rare, unusual or hard to identify species.
• Mist netting, banding, marking and radio-telemetry for positive identification are options as well.
• Collecting a specimen to positively identify a species or subspecies or for further analysis (use this method only in specific cases - see below).

Proper provincial and federal permits will have to be secured if in anyway species are disturbed.

In some cases collecting of specimens may be considered the best way to positively identify species or subspecies or needed for further analysis. Natural history museums must first be canvassed to see what material has already been collected. If existing material is not available or adequate to meet the needs, advice on collecting should be sought from professionals. Provincial and federal authorities must be contacted for proper permits. If firearms are required all federal and provincial laws must be followed. Local law enforcement officers and Conservation Officers should be notified.

3.2 Data Needs

• Record information immediately at the time of observation.
• Standard data to be recorded are observer, species, subspecies, sex, age, number of birds, as well, exact dates and localities are very important - especially for specimens.
• Additional data is very useful such as map grid, latitude and longitude, UTM or GIS, ecosection as described by Demarchi (1995, 1996), habitat description and detailed breeding information.
• In the case of captures or collected specimens total length, tarsus, wing span, exposed culmen, weight and wing cord are the standard measurements. Many other measurements and samples can be taken see Foster and Cannell (1990). Use standard and accepted abbreviations (Resources Inventory Committee 1998).

3.3 Preparation and Care of Specimens

3.3.1 Documentation of Field Observation

Birds that are considered rare or are seen outside their known range should be well documented. Listed below is the information found on the BC Field Ornithologists Rare Bird Report Form. Information should be phoned into the Rare Bird Alert hotline and field documentation sent to the local representatives. Other observers present are encouraged to submit their own report as well. For Rare Bird Alert (RBA) contacts phone: Vancouver (604) 737-3074; Victoria (250) 592-3381; Nanaimo (250) 390-3029.

Data from the BC Field Ornithologists Rare Bird Report Form: Species; Date and Time; Number of Birds/Sex/Age/Plumage; Name/Address/Phone # of person completing form; Others present; Location; Optical Equipment Used; Light Conditions/ Distance of Bird/ Duration of Observation; Description; Vocalizations (if any).

3.3.2 Whole Specimens

• As a partner and repository of specimens the Royal BC Museum should be contacted for guidelines on collecting, and preparation of natural history specimens.
• In general, voucher specimens are collected for the specific purpose of supporting some type of research or report. The Royal BC Museum is willing to hold the specimens in an unprepared state for as long as the researcher needs (for a storage fee) if that is all that is required by the researcher. At the end of the voucher contract the Royal BC Museum is free to use the specimens in whatever manner they see fit including disposing of them. Usually, only the skeleton is salvageable and the skin is discarded.

Storing specimens in the field

• Seal specimens individually in a ziplock type plastic bag with a field label as described in section 2.4.2 with the date, location, collector and field reference number.
• Keep specimens cold (ice packs in an insulated bag works well) and freeze as soon as possible. Dry ice in an insulated chest will last up to eight days in the field and can be used to refreeze the ice packs as well.
• Tissues may need to be taken in the field for mDNA analysis. Check with the lab where this work is to be done for preservation method.

Preparation

• In the case of birds it is best to prepare the specimens as soon after collection as possible to avoid freezer burn, etc. However, if the researcher has no need to have the specimens prepared then they can be left unprepared.
• The Royal BC Museum can be hired to do the specimen preparation. The Royal BC Museum can also provide identification and anatomical data from the preparation. Samples for DNA or amino acid analysis can be obtained if required along with any other special needs. In many cases it is safer for the preparation to be done at the Royal BC Museum as they have approved Class II biohazard facilities in place.
• Note that a taxidermist may or may not know how to prepare a museum quality study skin, as it is not something that a taxidermist would normally do.