Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

Feathers

• One set of 4-5 freshly plucked breast feathers or 2-3 tail or wing feathers
• Fallen moulting feathers, down feathers and blood feathers should be avoided. These sometimes contain insufficient DNA or can cause damage to the feather follicle when pulled out. 
• Blood feathers are the new feathers that can be recognised by the blue sleeve at the base of the plume.
• To avoid contamination, the shaft (the end of the feather that comes out of the bird's skin) must not be touched with the hands

Blood sample

• Small amounts (capillary tube) are sufficient for accurate analysis