A limitation of comparative transcriptomic studies of wild avian populations continues to be sample acquisition and preservation to achieve resulting high-quality RNA (i.e., ribonucleic acids that transfers, translates, and regulates the genetic code from DNA into proteins). Field sampling of wild bird samples provides challenges as RNA degradation progresses quickly and because cryopreservation is often not feasible at remote locations. We collected blood samples from songbirds, as avian blood is nucleated and provides sufficient transcriptionally active material in a small and non-lethal sample, to compare the efficacy of widely available RNA stabilizing buffers, RNAlater (Ambion) and DNA/RNA Shield (Zymo) at differing concentrations along with a dry ice-based flash freezing method (Isopropanol 99% and dry ice mixture, -109°C). Each blood sample was divided among five different preservation treatments (dry ice-based flash freezing, RNAlater with 1:5 or 1:10 dilution, or DNA/RNA Shield with 1:2 or 1:3 dilution). A new protocol was optimized for total RNA extraction from avian blood samples with small starting volumes enabling sampling of small passerines. We quantified quality measures, RNA integrity numbers (RINe), rRNA ratios, and total RNA concentrations. We found that RNA preservation buffers, RNAlater and DNA/RNA Shield at all concentrations, provide sample protection from RNA degradation. We suggest caution against using dry ice-based flash-freezing alone for samples preservation as these samples resulted in lower quality measures then samples in preservation buffer. Total RNA concentration was generally not affected by preservation treatment and may vary due to differences in initial samples volumes and carryover across processing steps.