Avian medicine can seem intimidating to vets who are unfamiliar with birds. Venipuncture is an important skill set. Venipuncture in birds may need to be performed for many reasons, including: sexing, as part of a ‘wellness’ exam, disease investigation, or as part of a collection's biosecurity measure. Venipuncture also allows the administration of fluid therapy or intravenous medication. This article aims to equip veterinary staff with the knowledge and confidence to perform blood draws in a concise, easy-to-read guide.