RFI - Identification of bird species from faecal DNA

["Crispin Marsh" <>]

Dear Birders,
I recently saw a Pied Oystercatcher on the NSW mid-north coast that had a 
number of SIPO characteristics (white underwing, extensive white on back, and 
extensive white stripe on trailing edge of upperwing) but also some more OZPO 
characteristics (beak a bit shorter  than I would expect for SIPO and upper 
legs perhaps a bit long). I saw the bird defecate and could have picked up a 
faecal sample. My questions are 
a) Could a suitably equipped lab have recovered DNA from the faecal sample,
b) How would I have had to handle/store the sample to prevent enzymic or other 
degradation of the DNA,
c) would it have been possible to analyse the recovered DNA and compare it with 
 SIPO and OZPO DNA,
d) are there commercial labs who could do such an analysis, and if so what 
order of magnitude of cost would be involved?
best regards
Peter Marsh
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