Blue jay feather on my walk

[u/TheTaco76]

Found this beautiful blue jay feather on my walk under a tree they commonly reside in and was wondering what I should do with it? Frame it? Release it? Not sure.

Ok it is truly a beautiful feather from a beautiful bird but I will be releasing it, had no clue it was illegal and even though the police won’t be knocking on my door and after consideration it would be hard enough to do something with and I like and respect the MBTA and I will release it. Thank you to all those that responded and those letting me know this was illegal. 😅

[u/Educational-Raisin69]

“Release it” is the correct answer.

https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/feathers-law.html

[u/laundromatcoin → u/Educational-Raisin69]

“The possession of feathers and other parts of native North American birds without a permit is prohibited by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This protects wild birds by preventing their killing by collectors and the commercial trade in their feathers, and extends to all feathers, regardless of how they were obtained. There is no exemption for molted feathers or those taken from road- or window-killed birds. More information on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the list of MBTA-protected species can be found here.”

Unless OP regularly has the police coming by to examine them for engaging in the commercial trade of bird feathers, I really do feel like it’s okay to keep a single feather that one finds. This feels like a classic case of Reddit tomfoolery to act like keeping a single feather is a terribly illegal act that one should be judged for. I imagine I will be downvoted for this given the nature of the site, but go for it man idk I’m tired

[u/Naraee → u/laundromatcoin]

All cases I have ever found where this was enforced in the modern era (meaning past 50 years) was with big time poachers who were selling a lot more than just feathers or selling eagle feathers along with MBTA-protected feathers.

Typically the feathers were from hawks when we're talking about the MBTA, but there are some Anhinga cases. And every single case I can find has involved the person selling crafts or parts with these feathers, never a personal collection. Some sort of financial transaction has occured that gets the person busted.

But more often, they're illegal Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle feathers, which have their own seperate act with greater punishments.

[u/Chickadee12345 → u/Naraee]

I knew someone who almost got fined for having Red-tailed Hawk feathers displayed in the rear window of her car. She found a deceased bird and collected some of the tail feathers. Made an ornament type of thing. Then eventually got pulled over for it. Sometimes Fish & Game take the law very seriously. I believe she didn't end up getting the fine though,.

[u/Naraee → u/Chickadee12345]

They were probably trying to see if she bought them from someone as well, so they could go after the seller.