Finding a beautiful feather while out in nature can feel like a special gift. You may be tempted to keep it as a reminder of that serendipitous moment. However, there are a few important factors to consider before deciding whether to keep a found feather.
Is it legal to keep the feather?
In the United States, it is generally illegal to possess any part of a native wild bird, including feathers, eggs, and nests, without a permit. This applies to both living and dead birds, and all native species, even common backyard birds. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it unlawful to “pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, cause to be shipped, deliver for transportation, transport, cause to be transported, carry, or cause to be carried by any means whatever, receive for shipment, transportation or carriage, or export, at any time, or in any manner, any migratory bird, included in the terms of this Convention…or any part, nest, or egg of any such bird.” (16 U.S.C. 703)
There are a few exceptions. Non-native birds like pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows are not protected. Shed feathers found lying on the ground may be kept. Game birds like turkeys and grouse can be legally hunted in season and their feathers kept. And members of federally recognized Native American tribes can obtain permits allowing them to possess certain feathers for religious and cultural purposes.
Outside of those exceptions though, picking up and keeping a feather could potentially violate federal law. Even picking up a small common backyard bird feather like a robin’s or blue jay’s and taking it home is technically illegal without a permit.
What are the penalties?
Penalties for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act can include:
- Fines up to $15,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months for a misdemeanor conviction
- Fines up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years for a felony conviction
In most cases, a first offense for something minor like keeping a single small feather would just result in a warning or small fine. But it’s important to be aware that there are potentially serious legal penalties on the books.
What are the ethical considerations?
Beyond legal issues, there are some ethical considerations around keeping wild bird feathers:
- Sustainability: Many wild bird species have declining populations due to habitat loss, climate change, and other human impacts. Taking feathers and other parts can compound pressures on struggling species.
- Wildlife trafficking: Even legal markets for bird parts can enable illegal poaching and wildlife trafficking by creating consumer demand.
- Native American culture: Many tribes have spiritual connections to birds and use feathers ceremonially. Mass taking of feathers by the public can impact their cultural practices.
These concerns prompt some conservationists and ethicists to argue that all wild bird parts should be left where they are found whenever possible.
Can I register the feather with the government?
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) does allow people to legally register feathers and other bird parts like nests and eggs under three permit types:
- Scientific collecting: Available to researchers carrying out scientific studies or educational institutions. Allows collection and possession of specimens.
- Native American tribal permits: Allows Native Americans to obtain eagle feathers and parts for religious use.
- Migratory bird possession: Allows people to register feathers and parts found dead to legally keep them for educational or other qualifying purposes.
So if you want to legally keep a feather you find, submitting an application for a migratory bird possession permit from the FWS is an option. However, you must be able to demonstrate an educational reason for needing the feather and approval is not guaranteed.
Can I donate the feather to a museum or similar institution?
If properly registered, museums, schools, and other educational institutions can legally possess feathers and other bird specimens. Donating a found feather to one of these organizations can be a way for it to be used for educational purposes without ending up illegally in private hands.
Many natural history museums have large bird collections used for research and education. Universities and even small local museums may also accept donated specimens. And some zoos and nature centers have educational exhibits that can make use of donated feathers.
Before donating a feather, it’s best to contact the institution and explain how and where you found the specimen. They can then advise you on whether they are interested in adding it to their collection and how to properly package and label it for donation.
Can I buy feathers from legal sources instead?
For those who want feathers for crafts, costumes, or decorative purposes, legally sourced feathers are available for purchase. These include:
- Feathers from domesticated non-native birds like chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys
- Molted feathers collected from bird rescue shelters, zoos, or other captive facilities
- Vintage feathers from before the Migratory Bird Treaty Act went into effect in 1918
- Artificial feathers
There are many online stores and sites like Etsy that specialize in selling legally sourced feathers. Purchasing from these vendors allows feather lovers to ethically decorate with plumes without further endangering wild birds.
Conclusion
When you stumble upon a feather in the wild, it can be tempting to pick it up and take it home as a memento. But between federal regulations, ethical impacts on birds, and cultural considerations, keeping a found feather is more complicated than it may seem.
To avoid running afoul of the law and contributing to pressures on wild bird populations, leaving feathers where they lie is generally the best practice. But alternatives like registering with the FWS, donating to educational institutions, or purchasing legally sourced feathers can allow you to still ethically enjoy feathers in certain contexts.
Every circumstance is unique, so research regulations carefully and weigh the potential impacts of removing a feather from the natural ecosystem. But when in doubt, letting that feather remain to fulfill its natural role benefits both the birds and yourself.
