This may be hard to believe, it might even sound preposterous – and I don’t mean to sound like a crazy, out-of-control wildlife enforcement officer – but if that’s a red-tailed hawk’s feather (or any migratory bird’s feather), and you picked it up and brought it home, you’ve broken the law.
Even had you picked it up, admired it, and promptly set it back down where you found it, you’ve broken the law. Even if you found it in your yard, on your window sill, in the middle of a hiking trail, even if it’s road-kill, or window-kill, you’ve broken the law.
All thanks to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, in force since 1918.
I know there very specific permits for Native Americans who collect migratory bird feathers for religious purposes, also for game birds in season, taxidermy, and researchers.
The fines are astronomical. Up to $15,000 for a conviction, even $100,000 for eagle feathers.
Now if that’s a non-migratory bird’s feather, or invasive bird’s feather, you’re good to go!
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