How to Submit Bird Remains

If you are submitting a bird strike, please also collect and submit bird remains for identification. Knowing what types of birds are involved in wildlife strikes is extremely useful in developing successful wildlife management programs.

To submit bird remains:

1. Place the feathers and other material in a clean plastic zip-lock bag.

2. Include a copy of the report you printed in Step 2. If you entered your phone number or email address, we will contact you with the identification.

3. For US Postal Service, recommended for routine cases, send to: Feather Identification Lab, Smithsonian Institution, NHB E-600, MRC 116, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012.

4. For overnight shipping (e.g. FedEx, DHL, UPS), recommended for damaging or priority cases, send to: Feather Identification Lab, Smithsonian Institution, NHB E-600, MRC 116, 10th & Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20560-0116.

Note: This bird identification service is provided without charge to all United States registered aircraft owners/operators, regardless of where the strike occurred, and to all aircraft owners/operators when the strike occurred at a US airport. For additional information about submitting bird remains, see CERTALERT 03-03 and/or contact the Feather Identification Lab at 202-633-0801.