Surveillance of wild birds is critical in monitoring for highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses (ATVs). However, a successful surveillance regime requires proper treatment of samples in the field - rapid placement of samples in -80 degrees C and subsequent maintenance of cold-chain. Given the logistical difficulties of this, many avian taxa and/or geographic locations are not sampled, or, when sampled may result in false negatives due to poor sample treatment in the field. Here, we assessed the utility of RNAlater (R) as a stabilization agent for AIV sampling. We found no difference in real time PCR performance between virus transport media at optimal conditions and RNAlater (R) at -80 degrees C, -20 degrees C, 4 degrees C or room temperature up to two weeks, at either low or high virus load. Not only was RNAlater (R) useful in comparison of spiked samples or those from duck experiments, it was employed successfully in a field study of backyard birds in China. We detected AIV in cloacal and oropharyngeal samples from chickens and a sample with a low Cq was successfully subtyped as H9, although sample storage conditions were suboptimal. Thus, despite limitations in downstream characterization such virus isolation and typing, RNAlater (R) is a viable option for AIV sampling under logistically challenging circumstances.