Is it legal to possess eagle feathers?
A federal law prohibits non-Native Americans from possessing bald eagle parts, including feathers. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, amended several times since its passage in 1940, prohibits anyone without a federal permit from disturbing, taking or possessing eagle parts, eggs or nests.
How do you get an eagle feather legally?
Permits to obtain eagles or eagle parts are issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Only enrolled members of a Federally recognized tribe can obtain a permit. The permit authorizes the recipient to receive and possess eagle feathers from the Repository for religious purposes.
Who can legally own an eagle feather?
American Indian tribes
Under the law, only permitted members of federally recognized American Indian tribes can possess eagle feathers, which are used in tribal ceremonies and rituals.
Is it illegal to collect bald eagle feathers?
An exemption to the act does exist, however. The Eagle Feather Law allows the collection of Golden Eagle and Bald Eagle feathers for religious purposes by Native Americans. In order to quality, individuals must have certifiable ancestry and be enrolled in a tribe.
Can you give an eagle feather to a non Native American?
However, they cannot give the feathers to non-Native Americans. So, if you ever see a bird feather, especially an eagle feather, leave it alone, unless you’re a Native American. If I Find a Stray Animal, Can I Keep It?
What was the purpose of the eagle feather law?
The eagle feather law provides many exceptions to federal wildlife laws regarding eagles and other migratory birds to enable Native Americans to continue their traditional spiritual and cultural practices.
Are there any bird feathers that are not protected?
Apparently the feathers of certain domesticated species like chickens and turkeys are not protected, while eagles, hawks, jays, vultures, crows, ravens, and most other common native species are definitely protected. Some non-native species are also not protected — starlings, peacocks, and some kinds of sparrows and finches for example.
What is the fine for an eagle feather?
Under the current language of the eagle feather law, individuals of certifiable American Indian ancestry enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain eagle feathers. Unauthorized persons found with an eagle or its parts in their possession can be fined up to $250,000.
Is it legal to own a bald eagle feather?
Under the current law, the repository is the only legal source of bald and golden eagle body parts. In order to get an eagle feather legally, you must first obtain an eagle permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service, authorizing you to receive and possess the feather from the repository for religious purposes.
What are some exceptions to the eagle feather law?
The eagle feather law provides many exceptions to federal wildlife laws regarding eagles and other migratory birds to enable Native Americans to continue their traditional spiritual and cultural practices. Under the current language of the eagle feather law, individuals of certifiable American Indian ancestry enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain eagle feathers. Unauthorized persons found with an eagle or its parts in their possession can be fined up to $250,0
Is taking bird feathers illegal?
Feathers from wild birds are very very illegal . Even if you find a feather on the ground in the woods, and even if it was molted from a live bird. Feathers for crafts, even for your own use, must not be wild bird feathers.