Aerial view of the 91次元 campus and buildings around UM's Oval in Missoula, MT.

Research Compliance and Tech Transfer

Guidance on Entering Non-USDA Regulated Passerines (Songbirds) and Non-USDA Regulated Raptors in Cayuse

Number: IACUC-GUID-008 

Responsible Office: Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS) 

Applies to: Principal Investigators Conducting Animal Research 

1. Purpose 

The 91次元 Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) recognizes the administrative challenges associated with entering large numbers of species in research protocols for review and approval in an electronic system. This guidance is designed to reduce the burden on Principal Investigators (PIs) conducting research with non-USDA regulated passerines and to minimize the risk of noncompliance when studies involve more than 10 different species. 

By allowing the grouping of passerine species under a single species named “non-USDA Passerines”—when specific criteria are met—this guidance streamlines the protocol submission process while maintaining compliance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other applicable regulations. 

This policy applies specifically to wildlife/field studies involving non-USDA passerines and outlines when species may be combined under a single protocol in Cayuse and when individual species entries are required. 

This guidance aims to: 

  • Simplify the protocol submission process for research involving multiple non-USDA passerine species. 
  • Ensure compliance by providing clear criteria for when species may be grouped or must be listed individually. 
  • Reduce administrative burden without compromising animal welfare or regulatory oversight. 

2. General Guidelines 

Principal Investigators (PIs) conducting research with non-USDA regulated passerines may group species under a single grouping labeled non-USDA passerine in Cayuse if the following criteria are met: 

  1. Species Type: All species must be non-USDA regulated passerines, non-USDA regulated raptors or wildlife/field study species (refer to references for information). 
  2. Species Count: The study must involve more than 10 different species. 
  3. Procedural Consistency: The same procedures must be applied uniformly across all species. 
  4. Species of Concern: The species cannot be listed as threatened, endangered, or otherwise designated as a species of concern. 
  5. Field Study Classification: The research procedures must not materially alter the animal’s behavior, environment, or health in a way that would classify the study as a USDA-regulated field study (refer to references for information). 
  6. PI must consult with the IACUC office and gain approval prior to entering in species in broader categories listed.  

THIS DESIGNATION CAN ONLY BE USED IF ALL 6 OF THESE CRITERIA ARE MET.   

If any of these criteria are not met, each species must be entered individually in Cayuse, with the appropriate sections completed for each species.   

3. Requirements for Entering Species in Cayuse

A. Grouping Species as “non-USDA Passerines”

PIs may group species under a single entry if all five criteria outlined in Section 2 are satisfied. In this case: 

  • A general description of the species (e.g., “non-USDA passerines”) should be provided. 
  • The protocol must describe how the procedures are consistent across all species. 
  • PIs must confirm that no species of concern are included and that the study does not meet USDA field study definitions. 
  • Specific species names, if grouped, must be listed in the methodology section of the protocol.  
  • Species of concern or higher may be listed on the same AUP alongside the non-USDA passerines but identified individually. 

B. Grouping Species as “non-USDA Raptors”

PIs may group species under a single entry if all five criteria outlined in Section 2 are satisfied. In this case: 

  • A general description of the species (e.g., “non-USDA Raptors”) should be provided.
  • The protocol must describe how the procedures are consistent across all species. 
  • PIs must confirm that no species of concern are included and that the study does not meet USDA field study definitions. 
  • Specific species names, if grouped, must be listed in the methodology section of the protocol.  
  • Species of concern or higher may be listed on the same AUP alongside the non-USDA Raptors but identified individually. 

C. When Individual Species Entry Is Required

PIs must enter species individually in Cayuse if any of the following apply: 

  • Fewer than 10 species are proposed. 
  • Species are not exclusively non-USDA Passerines, non-USDA Raptors or other wildlife species. 
  • Different procedures will be performed on different species. 
  • Any species is listed as a species of concern (e.g., endangered, threatened). 
  • The research involves procedures that materially alter the animals’ behavior, environment, or health, thereby making the study a USDA-regulated field study. 
  • For individually entered species, the appropriate protocol sections must be fully completed. 

4. Oversight and Compliance

The IACUC Office and Attending Veterinarian (AV) are responsible for ensuring compliance with this guidance. 

  • PIs must consult with the IACUC Office if there is uncertainty about whether species may be grouped together. 
  • The IACUC Manager or AV may request clarification or additional documentation as needed. 
  • Non-compliance with this guidance will result in a protocol hold until corrected. 
  • All species must also be listed on approved state/federal permits.  

5. References

  1. IACUC Policy on Wildlife Studies and USDA Reporting. 
  2. Animal Welfare Act Regulations 9 C.F.R. Subchapter A, Part 3. Subchapter G.  

6. Review, Approval, and Version History

Review and approval version history for this guidance

Version 

Date 

Description of Changes 

Approved By 

1.0 

April 8, 2025 

Initial guidance adoption 

IACUC Committee 

2.0 

August 12, 2025  

Addition of Non-USDA Raptors  

IACUC Committee