#bou2025
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evoneuro.bsky.social
So how can we best use museum collections for neuroanatomy research?
1. more skeletons in good quality
2. proper fixation of specimens
3. avoid long-term ethanol storage if possible.

And for more information on bird brains, check out our new book:
direct.mit.edu/books...

#BOU2025

6/6
The top of slide asks: what needs to be done to better support the use of museum specimens for neuroanatomy? Below on the left is a drawer full of bright green parrots with yellow-orange heads: Carolina parakeets. "More skeletons!" is written below the image. Below middle is a plastic container with a preserved hawk head inside with the skin and eyes removed with the caption "better tissue fixation". Below on the right is written "ethanol for fluid specimens" that is then crossed out with a bold red X.
November 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
evoneuro.bsky.social
Fluid specimens can be potentially be used for histology, but again long-term ethanol storage is problematic as it both dehydrates the tissue and the staining quality of tissue is poor.

#BOU2025
5/6
Four histological sections are shown through approximately the same brain regions of four different species. The first is a ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), which was perfused. The second is a Cooper's hawk (Astur cooperii) that was immersed in formaldehyde in the lab. The third is a Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) that was immersed in formaldehyde in the field. The last is a ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) that was a museum specimen. The grouse and hawk are brightly stained purplish against a white background. The woodcock is stained purplish, but not as dark as the first two. The duck brain is weakly stained purplish and appears washed out compared with the other sections. Below these images is the bullet point: extract brains from fluid specimens and use conventional histology.
November 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
evoneuro.bsky.social
There is the potential to use MRI on museum specimens, provided that the specimens are fresh frozen or fixed and not stored in ethanol. Long-term ethanol storage leads to too much dehydration, which makes MRI nearly impossible.

#BOU2025
4/6
The bullet point states: MRI of frozen and fixed specimens. Below on the left is a partial figure from Corfield et al. (2008) Nature Protocols 3: 597-605. The image has 6 greyscale panels of lateral and coronal views of a kiwi brain with matching histological sections with the brain tissue stained purple against a white background. Below on the right are 4 brain images and a profile view of a sulphur-crested cockatoo against a blue, cloudless sky. The top two images are greyscale images of a cockatoo brain in coronal plane. The bottom two are rainbow coloured images of coronal sections through a cockatoo brain. The different colours reflect white matter connections among brain regions.
November 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
evoneuro.bsky.social
CT scanning of skulls can provide some information on sensory brain regions, as well as the dimensions of the cranial nerves, for many species. However, we urge caution in the use of contrast enhanced CT scanning as it can damage specimens.

#BOU2025
3/6
At the top is a bullet point that states: CT scanning of specimens. At the bottom right is a digital reconstruction of an entire ibis skull, below which is a sagittal section taken through the entire skull showing the brain case. Below that, the brain case is filled with a reconstruction of the brain in blue. Finally there is a just a blue brain (endocast) of the ibis shown. On the right are 6 dark blue ibis endocasts with the optic lobe highlighted in green.
November 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
evoneuro.bsky.social
We have discovered numerous cases of changes in brain region sizes associated with differences in sensory abilities in birds, such as the expansion of LM to support self motion detection (i.e. optic flow) in hummingbirds.

But can museum specimens also be used for these studies?

#BOU2025
2/6
The top image is a photo of a mostly green hummingbird hovering in front of a plant that has many small pinkish flowers. The bottom image is a black and white photo of the lateral aspect of a hummingbird brain. Several brain regions are pointed to with solid lines: telencephalon, olfactory bulb, cerebellum, optic tectum, spinal cord, and optic nerve. One brain region is highlighted in light grey with the label: lentiform mesencephalic nucleus (LM).
November 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
evoneuro.bsky.social
All aspects of bird behaviour are a product of the anatomy and physiology of their brains. Brain anatomy can therefore provide new insights into bird behaviour.

Today at #BOU2025, I will discuss how museum specimens can potentially be used to study bird brains.

#ornithology #neuroskyence
1/6
A slide entitled Neuroscience at the Museum with two bullet points and three images. The first bullet point states that all behaviour is a product of the physiology and anatomy of the brain. The images below are photos of: a sharp-tailed grouse in a courtship display posture with its purple throat sacs and yellow eyebrows flared; a bright red and green king parrot perched on the back of a chair and holding a nut in its left foot that it is chewing on; and a flock of snow geese on an early morning with dozens of geese standing on a field and flying across. Below those images is the second bullet point" brain anatomy can provide novel insights into bird behavior.
November 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
bou.org.uk
NEW on #theBOUblog from Delip K. Das

Each year, the BOU funds members' attendance at ornithology conferences via Member Conference Attendance Grants

Read all about Delip's experience at BOU2025 Frontiers in ornithology

bou.org.uk/blog-das-...

#ornithology 🪶
August 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM
sarahdalgulls.bsky.social
I think @bou.org.uk had dual in-person and Bsky conference earlier this year? #BOU2025
July 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
vulturecat.bsky.social
If you saw me at #BOU2025, you may have noticed me wearing some awesome vultures... these are now available for everyone! Go to central-asian-vultures.teemill.com
#ornithology #endangeredspeciesday 🦤 🪶 #birdart 🦅 #raptors
We are launching our merch store! Shop for vulture-themed posters, hoodies, mugs, and more A graphic showing a canvas bag, a hoodie, and a mug, all featuring art with the 5 species of vultures found in Central Asia. Support vulture conservation - Wear your impact! Shop at central-asian-vultures.teemill.com
May 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
natbzielonka.bsky.social
I promise this is the last post about this!

If you followed any #BOU2025 on Bluesky, or if you added in person, please please 🙏 fill out this survey today!

💭 We really want to know what everyone liked and disliked about our first Bluesky #conference

It only takes 5 minutes ⏰ 👇

#ornithology 🪶
bou.org.uk British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) @bou.org.uk · Apr 11
⏰ LAST DAY TO TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS ⏰

Did you follow #BOU2025 on Bluesky?

💬 If so, how did you find it? If not, why not? It only takes 5 minutes ⌚

Your views will inform the future of our Bluesky conferences!

🔗 forms.gle/i8CdLFPru4...

#ornithology 🪶🧪 #AcademicSky
April 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
bou.org.uk
⏰ LAST DAY TO TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS ⏰

Did you follow #BOU2025 on Bluesky?

💬 If so, how did you find it? If not, why not? It only takes 5 minutes ⌚

Your views will inform the future of our Bluesky conferences!

🔗 forms.gle/i8CdLFPru4...

#ornithology 🪶🧪 #AcademicSky
April 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
natbzielonka.bsky.social
📢Just two days left to fill out our Bluesky conferences survey following #BOU2025

💭 Did you follow the #conference on Bluesky? If so, did you enjoy it? If not, why not?

👇 see link below!

#ornithology
bou.org.uk British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) @bou.org.uk · Apr 8
Did you follow #BOU2025 on Bluesky?

👉 bsky.app/profile/bou...

Please let us know about your experience and inform the future of Bluesky conferences

🔗 forms.gle/i8CdLFPru4...

It only takes 5 minutes ⏰

📆 Deadline 11 April

#ornithology 🪶🧪 #AcademicSky #birds
April 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
bou.org.uk
Last week at #BOU2025, we were delighted to award the Godman Salvin Prize to Prof Robert Furness for his contributions to #ornithology 👏

Please read about Prof Furness' impressive career here, as summarised by Keith Hamer

🔗 onlinelibrary.wiley....

#ornithology 🪶#seabirds
April 8, 2025 at 4:47 PM
tfinch.bsky.social
Help us (the British Ornithologists' Union) understand how our community uses Bluesky during conferences - whether you attended in person, followed #BOU2025 online, or none of the above, please fill out this short survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
April 8, 2025 at 10:19 AM
bou.org.uk
Did you follow #BOU2025 on Bluesky?

👉 bsky.app/profile/bou...

Please let us know about your experience and inform the future of Bluesky conferences

🔗 forms.gle/i8CdLFPru4...

It only takes 5 minutes ⏰

📆 Deadline 11 April

#ornithology 🪶🧪 #AcademicSky #birds
April 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
scottishseabird.bsky.social
What a great few days at #BOU2025. Loads of interesting & inclusive science, & a really supportive & friendly bunch of people. A great place to give the first talk of my PhD on #FalklandsShags & delighted to have been highly commended for my Bluesky thread 👇🏼

📸: @vulturecat.bsky.social
April 7, 2025 at 11:54 AM
bhawanisabat.bsky.social
Congratulations on your award @cateden91.bsky.social 😍Fly high🫶
Couldn’t have asked for a better experience at #BOU2025!
Met brilliant researchers & fellow PhD scholars — exchanged ideas, laughs, and lots of bird talk. 🕊️🧬

Thanks again to everyone who made it memorable. 🪶✨
#Ornithology
cateden91.bsky.social Cat Eden @cateden91.bsky.social · Apr 3
Had a wonderful time at #BOU2025, so much cool research and awesome catching up with old and making new pals! Very nice to have received an award for highly commended ECR talk as well, a lovely confidence boost 🥰 #ornithology
April 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
bhawanisabat.bsky.social
#Ornithology
Post 4/🧵
Huge thanks to @bou.org.uk for awarding me the travel grant to attend and present at BOU2025 in University of Nottingham. 🙏

Grateful for the opportunity to share our research and connect with passionate ornithologists from around the world! 🌍💚
#india #sacon #wii #serb_india
April 5, 2025 at 10:22 AM
bhawanisabat.bsky.social
#BOU2025 #Forensics #mtDNA #Galliformes
Post 2/🧵
Why it matters: Galliformes are heavily targeted in illegal wildlife trade and hunted for traditional and commercial uses in India as well as over the globe. Our forensic approach can assist law enforcement and help protect these bird species.
April 5, 2025 at 10:22 AM
ajhdoyle.bsky.social
What better way to follow up #BOU2025 than a day in the field? Today was the first of many SD card collections. Not expecting the Pied Flys yet, but we’re ready to detect their arrival!

We'll use Kaleidoscope Pro to process the data. Thanks to @wildlifeacoustics.bsky.social for the software grant!
April 4, 2025 at 6:14 PM
alexbrighten1.bsky.social
Still totally buzzing from #BOU2025. Awesome few days. Meeting brilliant people, chatting cool science, surviving my first ever presentation as speaker (just!). Thanks @bou.org.uk for organising such a welcoming, inclusive, & real (so much honesty re: talk nerves) conference. Bring on the next one!
April 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
amyleedale.bsky.social
@vixfranks.bsky.social I really love this photo - we all look so happy! It perfectly captures the vibe of the conference: lots of cheerful and smily researchers joined together by their shared enthusiasm for birds! #BOU2025 @bou.org.uk
April 4, 2025 at 10:15 AM
sambarrett97.bsky.social
An absolute pleasure to attend #BOU2025 and meet so many inspiring researchers! It was great to have such a strong presence from #SalfordUni.
#Ornithology
@bou.org.uk @salforduni.bsky.social
amyleedale.bsky.social Amy Leedale @amyleedale.bsky.social · Apr 4
Thank you #BOU2025! What an inspiring collection of avian research from a warm, vibrant community! It was wonderful to be joined by other members of the #OrnithologyResearchGroup @ #SalfordUni! @alice-risely.bsky.social @vixfranks.bsky.social @helenwhitehead1.bsky.social @sambarrett97.bsky.social 🦜
April 4, 2025 at 8:35 AM
natbzielonka.bsky.social
Please please please fill this out 🙏 we are trying to understand people’s perspectives of hosting scientific conferences on Bluesky 🦋 and everyone’s viewpoint is super helpful

#BOU2025 #ornithology 🪶

Please share with your networks / feeds
bou.org.uk British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) @bou.org.uk · Apr 3
Did you follow #BOU2025 on Bluesky?

💬 If so, how did you find it? If not, why not?

Please take 5 minutes 🕰️ to complete our survey: forms.gle/dVNDYs8wg5...

Your views will inform the future of our Bluesky conferences!

#ornithology 🪶🧪 #conservationscience 🌎

Please repost!
April 4, 2025 at 8:09 AM
amyleedale.bsky.social
Thank you #BOU2025! What an inspiring collection of avian research from a warm, vibrant community! It was wonderful to be joined by other members of the #OrnithologyResearchGroup @ #SalfordUni! @alice-risely.bsky.social @vixfranks.bsky.social @helenwhitehead1.bsky.social @sambarrett97.bsky.social 🦜
April 4, 2025 at 8:02 AM