470. Check It Out!: The obligation to examine birds to determine
if they are kosher   Every kosher bird you may eat. (Deuteronomy
14:11)  One must examine birds one intends to eat to ensure that
they are of a kosher species. This is comparable to the way in
which animals must be so inspected, as in Mitzvah #153.  The
reason for this mitzvah is the same as for Mitzvah #153: Just as
certain foods are bad for us physically, God knows which things
are bad for us spiritually. He has therefore warned us not to
eat these things and instructed us to inspect animals and birds
to ensure that they are kosher.  The Ramban (Nachmanides) does
not include examining animals or birds among the 613 mitzvos,
considering this a necessary precaution to avoid eating non-
kosher creatures rather than a separate commandment.  This
mitzvah applies in all times and places. It is discussed in the
Talmud in the tractate Chulin on pages 61a-64b. It is codified
in the Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh Deah 82. This mitzvah is #150 of
the 248 positiv