On Thu, 7 Dec 1995, Stuart MacKay wrote:
>
> Since bird blood is nucleated wouldn't it be possible to take a
> blood sample and use that to determine sex. Assuming that biometrics
> doesn't clinch it.

Yes, blood should do it for getting DNA. Just having the DNA doesn't tell
you the sex, though, unless you're lucky enough that (1) someone else has
studied that species and found a sex linked genetic marker and developed a
probe for it, and (2) they are willing to share that probe with you. With
CCLOs I wouldn't bet a nickel on either proposition, especially the first
one. I work with Song Sparrows, which seem to be becoming the "white rat"
of bird genetics, and there's no readily available sex linked marker
available for them. One company tried to sex some hand reared birds for
us (from blood samples, and for a fee), and apparently got it right, but
only on the second try. So there may now be a working marker for Song
Sparrows (at a price), but I still doubt anyone has one for longspurs.
Lapping (laparotomy = visual inspection of the internal sex organs, for
the uninitiated) would be the way to go.

Chris Hill
Everett, WA
cehill at u.washington.edu