Re: feather ID

["Janine Perlman" <jpandjf@ix.netcom.com>]

Even though I'm permitted to rehabilitate migratory birds, I'm not permitted
to keep their feathers.  Exceptions are for imping purposes only (replacing
broken primary feathers so that the bird can fly and be released without
requiring a molt).  If I find really great feathers (from the birds in my
care, or out of doors), I hold on to them for a short time (sometimes I do
photograph them for nutritional studies, etc.) and make inquiries.  If
they're not needed at the repository or by other rehabbers for imping, I
dispose of them.

Again, since it cannot be determined (without DNA analysis) whence a feather
came, if it's from a protected species, it's not legal to possess it (except
for birds legally hunted).  There are some wild species, mainly game birds,
that are also legally captive-raised; I don't know what the law says about
them.

Janine Perlman
Hillsborough, NC