Natural history collections are often plagued by missing or inaccurate metadata for collection items, particularly for specimens that are difficult to verify or rare. Avian eggshell in particular can be challenging to identify due to extensive morphological ambiguity among taxa. Species identifications can be improved using DNA extracted from museum eggshell; however, the suitability of current methods for use on small museum eggshell specimens has not been rigorously tested, hindering uptake. In this study, we compare three sampling methodologies to genetically identify 45 data-poor eggshell specimens, including a putatively extinct bird’s egg. Using an optimised drilling technique to retrieve eggshell powder, we demonstrate that sufficient DNA for molecular identification can be obtained from even the tiniest eggshells without significant alteration to the specimen’s appearance or integrity. This method proved superior to swabbing the external surface or sampling the interior; however, we also show that these methods can be viable alternatives. We then applied our drilling method to confirm that a purported clutch of Paradise Parrot eggs collected 40 years after the species’ accepted extinction date were falsely identified, laying to rest a 53-year-old ornithological controversy. Thus, even the smallest museum eggshells can offer new insights into old questions.

自然历史收藏品经常受到收藏品元数据缺失或不准确的困扰，尤其是对于难以验证或稀有的标本。由于分类群之间广泛的形态学模糊性，鸟类蛋壳尤其难以识别。使用从博物馆蛋壳中提取的 DNA 可以改进物种鉴定；然而，目前用于小型博物馆蛋壳标本的方法的适用性尚未经过严格测试，这阻碍了人们的理解。在这项研究中，我们比较了三种采样方法，以对 45 个数据不足的蛋壳标本进行基因鉴定，其中包括一个假定已灭绝的鸟蛋。使用优化的钻孔技术取回蛋壳粉，我们证明，即使是最小的蛋壳，也可以获得足够的用于分子鉴定的 DNA，而不会显着改变标本的外观或完整性。事实证明，这种方法优于擦拭外表面或采样内部；然而，我们也表明这些方法可以成为可行的替代方案。然后，我们应用我们的钻孔方法来确认，在该物种公认的灭绝日期 40 年后收集的据称是天堂鹦鹉蛋的一窝被错误识别，从而平息了一场长达 53 年的鸟类学争议。因此，即使是最小的博物馆蛋壳也可以为旧问题提供新的见解。我们还表明这些方法可以成为可行的替代方案。然后，我们应用我们的钻孔方法来确认，在该物种公认的灭绝日期 40 年后收集的据称是天堂鹦鹉蛋的一窝被错误识别，从而平息了一场长达 53 年的鸟类学争议。因此，即使是最小的博物馆蛋壳也可以为旧问题提供新的见解。我们还表明这些方法可以成为可行的替代方案。然后，我们应用我们的钻孔方法来确认，在该物种公认的灭绝日期 40 年后收集的据称是天堂鹦鹉蛋的一窝被错误识别，从而平息了一场长达 53 年的鸟类学争议。因此，即使是最小的博物馆蛋壳也可以为旧问题提供新的见解。