Do you have a feather collection?  How about an old nest your kids found, or even a discarded egg?  You could very well be breaking the law! And if that feather belongs to an endangered species, fines and penalties can be pretty steep!  Think twice before picking up that beautiful bird of prey feather on your lawn!

 

Does this sound silly to you?  It might at first, but in the early 20th century, many bird populations were nearly wiped out by the commercial trade of birds and their feathers for the sole purpose of creating ornate hats  and outfits.  Feather collectors would  decimate entire nesting colonies of egrets and herons along with their young, all in the name of fashion.  In 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act was created to protect all migratory birds and their parts (including eggs, nests and feathers) from harm.

Laws can vary by state, but in Georgia almost all the birds you'll find with the exception of introduced species like House Sparrows, European Starlings and Rock Pigeons are protected.  That means the annoying Whip-poor-will that keeps you up all night with his constant song, the big and pushy Common Grackles at your feeders, the messy Barn Swallows that poop on your porch, and even the pesky House Wren that kicked out your nesting Bluebirds are protected, and no matter how much you may not like their behavior, patience and tolerance are the best solution.

 

There are some special circumstances where people are allowed to handle native and migratory birds.  Wildlife rehabilitators, falconers, bird banders and some scientists are allowed to handle birds or possess feathers with very strict state and federal permits, usually following years of training.  A federal statute permits Native Americans in recognized tribes to use feathers from Bald and Golden Eagles for ceremonial purposes.

If you'd like to read more about the Migratory Bird Treaty Act visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's site at http://www.fws.gov.