Tick Collection Guide for Ornithologists

If you would like a PDF or printed copy of the Tick Collection Guide for Ornithologists (including submission forms) please call (907) 375-8215.

Ticks in Alaska can be found on small and large mammals, and birds. The seasonal movements of migratory birds provide opportunities for tick and tick-borne pathogen dispersal from other parts of the world. Moreover, birds can be reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens that cause disease in humans and animals. Several non-native tick species have been found in Alaska, including species that commonly parasitize birds.

The Office of the State Veterinarian, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and researchers at the University of Alaska are working together to understand the role of ticks in Alaska. The Alaska Submit-A-Tick Program collects tick submissions from the public, veterinarians, and wildlife biologists for species identification. Tick submissions are included in a long term database of ticks found in the state.

We recognize that tick collection is an additional task during a busy field season and appreciate your contribution to this surveillance effort. This guide was developed to assist with the collection and submission process of ticks found on birds.

Screening birds for ticks

When searching for ticks on birds, take extra care to check auriculars, nape, perimeter of the eyes and mandibles, and vent of animals. Ticks may be attached (i.e. feeding) or unattached. Attached ticks will likely be engorged and more visible than unattached ticks. Ticks go through three life stages (larva, nymph, and adult), and they look slightly different at each stage. Ticks are very small. Adult ticks are about the size of an apple seed, nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed, and larva are the size of a grain of sand. If you aren’t sure if what you found is a tick, feel free to send it in, and we will identify it for you.

Tick removal and collection

Part feathers with fine tipped forceps to visualize the skin surface. You can blow a steady stream of air to displace feathers while you are removing a tick.
Using fine pointed tweezers, pluck off each tick. Gently grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick because this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
Place dislodged ticks into a vial. Other clean, hard-sided containers can be used. Ziploc bags will work in a pinch, but it is easier for ticks to be crushed during transport. Note that multiple ticks can be placed in the same vial (or container) if they are from the same bird. Please put ticks from different birds into different containers. If you are submitting multiple vials, be sure to number each vial and include the number on the submission form. Do not add any liquid or preservatives.
If you are submitting ticks from a single animal, or multiple animals of the same species collected at the same location, you can fill out the online Alaska Submit-A-Tick form. If you anticipate a more complex submission (multiple animals, different species of animals, different locations, etc.) please contact us at (907) 375-8215 to request the appropriate submission form.
Send ticks and completed forms to the Office of the State Veterinarian: 5251 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99507

Thank you for your participation! Contact us at alaskaticks@alaska.edu to request sample vials, shipping materials, or if you have any questions.