We describe a technique of selective and controlled fixation of the brain and upper spinal cord in the adult pigeon by in vivo transcardiac bilateral carotid catheterization and pump perfusion. We were unable to achieve adequate and repeated fixation of these structures for histochemical techniques in the pigeon using the conventional intracardiac perfusion techniques described for mammals. Our intracarotid technique yields a blood-free and well fixed brain and upper spinal cord. A series of intracarotid pump perfusions (saline, fixative, and sucrose buffer) has significantly reduced histochemical processing time by allowing immediate cryosectioning of the dissected brain.