It is not uncommon for birders to find dead birds while they are in the field or even at their homes. In most cases the Delaware Museum of Natural History is happy to accept dead birds for addition to their collections. Once they are part of our collection these specimens are available for use by researchers and are also used in our educational programs. We are happy to accept any species, even common ones (see exceptions below). It is surprising how many “common” species are rarely found dead and therefore are not often added to our collections.

Upon finding a dead bird, place it in a plastic bag and freeze or refrigerate it as soon as possible. In this bag, place a slip of paper on which you have recorded the exact location and date when the bird was found and your name. Please write using waterproof pen or pencil.

Exceptions:

• It is not legal for the museum to accept threatened or endangered species or Eagles. These should be reported to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). This rule applies to: Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Piping Plover, and others.
• We do not have room to accept common, large species such as Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Turkey Vultures, and Great Blue Herons.
• If you find a bird that is badly flattened or not fresh, please leave it for the scavengers.

The museum will also accept used bird nests only if you can verify the species of bird that used the nest. Nests should be tightly sealed in plastic bags because they are often infested with mites or other insects. For nests that are tightly attached to branches it may be necessary to clip off the branches if possible to avoid damaging the nest. Please include in the plastic bag with the nest any data on where it was found, when it was collected, who collected it and as much information as you know about the nest attempt (# eggs, date hatched, whether young fledged, etc.). Alternatively, you can record this information on a nest record card and turn it in with the nest.

Specimens should be kept frozen or refrigerated (except nests) and should be transferred to the museum quickly, ideally within a week or two (sooner if not frozen). You can drop specimens off at the museum during our regular hours (M-Sa 9:30-4:30, Sun Noon-4:30) at the admissions desk. They will ask you to fill out a donation form and sign it. This is necessary for the legal documentation of our collection. You can also contact Jean Woods, Curator of Birds, at jwoods@delmnh.org or 302-658-9111 x314 to make alternate arrangements. Specimens can often be transferred at DOS meetings but Jean will need to know in advance so that she can bring a cooler and donation form to the meeting. If you have any questions about making a specimens donation to the museum, please do not hesitate to contact Jean.

Thanks to the many past and future DOS members who have helped the museum’s collections grow!

Warning!! It is against Federal Law to possess any birds or parts of birds (feathers, talons, bones, etc.), their nests or eggs from any species that is native to the United States. These species are all protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The museum maintains special permits to hold protected species and salvage dead birds.