hummingbird feathers

dep · Jul 20, 2023

I found a dead one in our back yard. I think it met its demise with our kitchen window.
anyway, I have it outside to dry out for a bit.
are the feathers any good to tie with? too small?
if not, maybe once it petrifies I can hang it from my rearview mirror

RCF · Jul 20, 2023

In the United States the law that regulates the possession and or capture of any migratory bird and is called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This law specifically includes hummingbirds in the list of Migratory Birds that are protected under the United States Code of Federal Regulations.

Basically, it is illegal in the United States to hold a hummingbird, a hummingbird nest, a hummingbird baby, or any part of a hummingbird, nest, or egg, in any type of captivity in any way, shape, or form. This means that unless you have a valid permit, it is illegal to trap, band, hold, harass, or control any hummingbird or any part of the hummingbird, nest, or egg.

Shorter answer: You can look, but don't touch.

Laws About Hummingbirds

In the United States the law regulates the possession and or capture of any migratory bird and is called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

www.worldofhummingbirds.com

MillCreekMinnow · Jul 20, 2023

What branch of the US Government handles the removal of the carcass? Is there a 1-800 number? If it can't be touched, then how do their families and bird friends find closure? The poor rotting shell that once held the soul of a hummingbird just lying on the ground in this heat is heart breaking. I say that a dead bird on your property is yours to do with as you will. Please show respect if the bird has a DNR first. Then eat it if you want to.

RCF · Jul 20, 2023

1 (800)-4Hummer. But it will cost you a lot to get a hummer.

DoesItFloat · Jul 20, 2023

Those rump feathers probably make some killer soft hackles.

CRequa · Jul 20, 2023

RCF said:
In the United States the law that regulates the possession and or capture of any migratory bird and is called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This law specifically includes hummingbirds in the list of Migratory Birds that are protected under the United States Code of Federal Regulations.

Basically, it is illegal in the United States to hold a hummingbird, a hummingbird nest, a hummingbird baby, or any part of a hummingbird, nest, or egg, in any type of captivity in any way, shape, or form. This means that unless you have a valid permit, it is illegal to trap, band, hold, harass, or control any hummingbird or any part of the hummingbird, nest, or egg.

Shorter answer: You can look, but don't touch.

Laws About Hummingbirds

In the United States the law regulates the possession and or capture of any migratory bird and is called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

www.worldofhummingbirds.com

But can u tie with the feathers?

RCF · Jul 20, 2023

CRequa said:
But can u tie with the feathers?

In the link I provided it states "Basically, it is illegal in the United States to hold a hummingbird, a hummingbird nest, a hummingbird baby, or any part of a hummingbird, nest, or egg, in any type of captivity in any way, shape, or form. This means that unless you have a valid permit, it is illegal to trap, band, hold, harass, or control any hummingbird or any part of the hummingbird, nest, or egg."

I am not a lawyer but if a feather is apart from the bird it is still a part of the bird aka bird part...

Divad · Jul 20, 2023

Since buying these I haven’t had a hummer strike the glass. And yes 2 of the 40 in each pack is a hemp leaf.

Yard Sale · Jul 20, 2023

Poachers must swim!

Tom Butler · Jul 20, 2023

Have to leave them to decompose naturally I believe.
https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/feathers-and-the-law.php

MillCreekMinnow · Jul 20, 2023

My garden wasn't doing so well this year due to a lack of bees for some reason. Yesterday I put up a couple of hummingbird feeders to pick up the slack. The birds were so pretty that I was thinking along the same lines as @dep......

MillCreekMinnow · Jul 20, 2023

RCF said:
In the link I provided it states "Basically, it is illegal in the United States to hold a hummingbird, a hummingbird nest, a hummingbird baby, or any part of a hummingbird, nest, or egg, in any type of captivity in any way, shape, or form. This means that unless you have a valid permit, it is illegal to trap, band, hold, harass, or control any hummingbird or any part of the hummingbird, nest, or egg."

I am not a lawyer but if a feather is apart from the bird it is still a part of the bird aka bird part...

What if the bird chose to stick around of its own accord? If it submitted gracefully to being plucked, slowly, over a long period of time, does the law still apply?

RCF · Jul 20, 2023

MillCreekMinnow said:
What if the bird chose to stick around of its own accord? If it submitted gracefully to being plucked, slowly, over a long period of time, does the law still apply?

Try that logic finding and possessing an eagle feather.

Therein you will find your answer...

_WW_ · Jul 20, 2023

First, name all the assholes that will turn you in for using found feathers.
Next, don't tell these assholes that you are using found feathers.
Third, never, ever, mention it on the internet.

Mossback · Jul 20, 2023

They taste like chicken...very, very small chicken.

BCO · Jul 20, 2023

Mossback said:
They taste like chicken...very, very small chicken.

I’m on a very strict diet limiting my daily diet to no more than two hummingbirds, six butterflies and dehydrated liquids. I’m a little grumpy !

_WW_ · Jul 20, 2023

BCO said:
I’m on a very strict diet limiting my daily diet to no more than two hummingbirds, six butterflies and dehydrated liquids. I’m a little grumpy !

At least you didn't have to give up dehydrated beer.

jact55 · Jul 20, 2023

_WW_ said:
First, name all the assholes that will turn you in for using found feathers.
Next, don't tell these assholes that you are using found feathers.
Third, never, ever, mention it on the internet.

But if it's an awesome fly you tie, post it in the what's in your vice thread, but use a code word. Maybe call it the chumming bird fly. They'll never know lol.