We need Yellow-billed Magpie feathers to be collected for DNA analysis. Good sites to collect include the ground under roost sites and nests, particularly during the period when birds molt their feathers (after breeding, during late spring and summer).

On your first visit to a roost, clear the ground of old feathers, so that your next collection will be feathers shed within a few days (fresher DNA). Please do not enter private property to collect feathers. If you see a good roost site for feather collection, contact us at magpie-mail@magpiemonitor.org to coordinate permission to enter private property.

Collect feathers after magpies have flown away and after your morning roost count. Put them in a paper envelope, keep dry, and label envelope and note collection location and date. Use new envelopes for each roost and each day you collect. Contact us at Magpie Mail for address to send feathers.

DNA from these feathers will help us track population health and genetic diversity of the birds over time. See our Magpie genetics web site for more information: http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/wildlife/projects_magpie.html DNA studies over time will help monitor changes in magpie populations and genetic diversity. We can also identify individuals (kind of like CSI Magpie-style) and kin relationiships (mom-nestling, etc).