Many birds are presented to the veterinary clinic in an advanced stage of ill health. Similarly, birds presented in the early stages of illness may often appear normal to the inexperienced owner or veterinarian. A thorough history is an essential assessment tool in both cases. This chapter looks at history-taking in depth and provides an extensive selection of quick reference guides for clinical examination. Quick reference guides: Observation; Body condition scoring; Examination of the coelom and cloaca; Examination of the beak; Examination of the nares and cere; Examination of the eyes; Examination of the ears; Examination of the oral cavity; Examination of the head and neck; Examination of the crop; Examination of the pectoral muscles and keel; Examination of the wings; Examination of the pelvic limbs and feet; Examination of the integument; Examination of the uropygial gland.