Published in the Journal of Ornithology is a novel non-invasive method of procuring blood samples from animals such as birds and bats using an parasitic blood-sucking insect, Dipetalogaster maximus. The insects are placed into artificial eggs fitted with holes big enough for their probosces, and slipped into birds' nests. Insects were then collected and the bird blood sample is recovered from the insects' abdomens by inserting a needle.

This method has the advantage of being non-invasive, painless, and does not require for the source animals to be trapped and handled.

Source: New Scientist