Collection of White-tailed Ptarmigan feathers from alpine areas
We are attempting to assess connectivity of White-tailed ptarmigan populations both regionally and across the species
range. We are hoping to enlist the help of biologists who are in the field doing white-tailed ptarmigan occupancy surveys or
other related alpine field work. We are hoping to have feathers collected from as many areas (peaks) as possible
throughout the species range. When possible, we would like you to pick up any ptarmigan feathers that you may find from
each site you visit. Please place each individual feather in a separate Ziploc bag unless they are physically attached to one
another (as on a carcass) or unless they are known to have come from one bird. Because we are dealing with very small
amounts of DNA, the feathers can be easily contaminated so they need to be collected in a particular way. The supplies you
will need are:
Small plastic Ziploc type bags
1 large paper envelope for each area
A pencil or permanent marker
Procedure: We are hoping to obtain feathers from as many different individuals as possible. Therefore, it is best if you do
not pick up all feathers from the exact same location, as they are likely to come from the same one or two individuals.
Essentially, we are looking for the bird equivalent of a hair follicle to extract DNA from. Please put only one feather in each
Ziploc. When you have found the feather, pick it up by putting the Ziploc bag inside-out on your hand and use the bag to
pick it up. If you have a GPS unit with you, please record the coordinates of each feather on the outside of the Ziploc bag (or
on a piece of paper that you slide inside the bag). After you have collected feathers from a specific area, in different bags,
please put all the bags from that one area into your large paper envelope. Seal the envelope and label it with the name of
the area (or peak), UTM coordinates, date, and your name and contact information (so we know who you are if we have
questions and so we know who to thank). Feathers can be stored dry at room temperature. Collection of ~ 20 - 30
different samples from different places on one mountain top (peak) would be ideal. If you find fewer than 20, that is fine
and we can use these feathers. If you are attending or surveying multiple different peaks along a range, it would be helpful
to collect samples from each peak. Samples from different areas on a peak can all be placed in one labeled envelope.
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Bring along the plastic bags and paper envelope
Use one plastic bag to pick up one feather
Make sure the Ziploc is closed very tightly (label it with coordinates if they are available)
Put all Ziploc bags (tightly sealed) into the envelope from a given peak
Seal the envelope tightly and label it with some form of area identification or name, County, State, UTM
coordinates, including projection and zone (i.e., NAD83, Zone 13), Date (please spell month in letters), and Your
Name and contact information
Envelopes with feathers can be stored in a dry place at room temperature out of direct sun light
Once feather collection is complete contact Sara Oyler-McCance who will be collecting the samples and conducting
the genetic analyses
Sara Oyler-McCance, 2150 Centre Ave Building C, Fort Collins, CO 80526
Sara_oyler-mccance@usgs.gov
970-226-9197