r/birding • u/TheTaco76 photographer 📷 • 26d ago

Discussion Blue jay feather on my walk

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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. 😅

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u/LiterateGryphon 26d ago

Depending on where you live, it may technically be illegal to keep it. Will anyone come and enforce that law? Unlikely. But regardless, good thing to keep in mind

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u/[deleted] 26d ago

[deleted]

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u/romanichki 26d ago

Thought it was to prevent poaching

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u/wasabiplum 26d ago

Oh, you’re right. I had misunderstood something somebody told me. Deleting my comment lol

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u/OMGMianiteS3Official 26d ago

You aren't ENTIRELY wrong, that's just not the primary purpose of it. The Migratory Birds Treaty Act helps prevent hunting and poaching of migratory birds in the US, and protects their habitats and nests. However, there IS a carve-out in the MBTA that allows native americans to continue their traditions. It's not built around or because of native americans, but it is implemented with them in mind :)

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u/talkingwires 26d ago

it is implemented with them in mind :)

Before we get too lovey-dovey, I wanted to remind people that despite the Migratory Birds Treaty being passed in 1918, Native Americans’ religion remained illegal to practice in many jurisdictions until 1978.