Photo submitter John Parks writes, “Male prairie falcon imprinted on its human trainer voluntarily deposits semen by pressing its cloaca against a specially designed collection hat. Note that the falcon’s feet are closed so that its talons are not exposed during “copulation.” Semen deposited in this way can be recovered in a capillary tube and used for evaluating semen quality and for artificial insemination. This is a valuable conservation tool that contributed significantly to the restoration of the once endangered peregrine falcon.”

This photo was taken in 1986 and is one of many historical animal science photos in the American Society of Animal Science and National Agricultural Library Animal Science Image Gallery. See more photos or submit your own: http://anscigallery.nal.usda.gov/index.php