Sex identification in cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) from feather and blood samples: A case report

Abstract

Twenty-four cinereous vultures that had been taken to a wildlife center due to starvation and exhaustion were studied to evaluate approaches for determining sex. Coelioscopy was performed to identify sexes of two vultures, whereas, DNA testing was performed to identify the sexes of the 24 vultures. Testes and ovaries could be unambiguously identified with an endoscope and DNA analyses could identify sex sex in most, but not all of the specimens. Although the coelioscopy examination can unambiguously confirm sex, the approach is invasive and requires anesthesia. Thus, coelioscopic examination should only be performed when sex cannot be determined through DNA analysis.