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In Canada, the Migratory Bird Regulations provide that a bander "may salvage birds found dead, or killed as a result of normal banding operations, and shall dispose of such birds in accordance with the conditions set out in the permit".
No matter how conscientiously banders conduct their activities, some birds die in their possession. Banders should record and save every banding casualty or dead bird that comes into their possession, provided the bird is not badly mutilated or decomposed. These birds, if accompanied by the appropriate data, are potentially valuable museum specimens. If the birds are banded, and can be accurately aged, they may be especially valuable additions to a museum's collection. A list of institutions in the U.S. that have expressed an interest in accepting salvaged specimens sent to them by banders is given at the end of this section. They should be contacted before any shipment is made.
In Canada, the banding permit specifies that salvaged birds be sent to the Museum of Nature, Vertebrate Zoology Division, Aylmer, Quebec. An alternate qualified Canadian institution may be specified, if so requested by the bander.
The receiving institution can decide whether or not a specimen should be saved. Specimens are used not only for the standard study skins, but also are preserved in fluid, as skeletal material, or used in special preparations for scientific purposes. Birds of all ages and plumage stages are important in research collections. Any bands should be removed and sent to the appropriate banding office along with the recovery information.
