The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: What Every Collector Needs to Know (and Leave Behind)

That’s when I learned about the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and let me tell you, it’s one law every bone collector needs to know inside and out.

The Big Deal About Bird Bones (Spoiler: They’re Mostly Illegal)

Here’s the harsh truth that might break your bone-collecting heart: It is illegal to possess almost ANY native bird bones in the United States. Not just rare birds. Not just endangered birds. We’re talking about your everyday robins, crows, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, sparrows, and yes, even that gorgeous blue jay skull I had to leave behind.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 makes it illegal to possess any part of a migratory bird – and that includes bones, feathers, nests, eggs, or any other bits. The fines? They start at $15,000 and can include jail time. For one little skull!

Note: Want to learn about other animal bone laws? My eBook has a whole chapter on legal collecting.

Why Such Strict Laws?

You might be thinking, “But the bird is already dead! I’m not hurting anything!” I thought the same thing. But here’s why the law is so strict:

1. They can’t prove how you got it – Did you find it dead, or did you kill it? The authorities can’t tell, so they ban possession entirely.
2. Market protection – In the early 1900s, bird populations were being decimated for the feather trade. The law removes any incentive to kill birds.
3. It actually works – Since the MBTA was enacted, many bird populations have recovered dramatically.

Which Birds CAN You Legally Collect? (The Good News!)

Don’t despair, fellow bone enthusiasts! There ARE bird bones you can legally collect:

Domestic Birds (100% Legal):

• Chickens – Easy to get from butchers or after your own dinner
• Domestic ducks – Same as chickens, widely available
• Domestic geese – Check with local farms
• Domestic turkeys – Thanksgiving goldmine!
• Guinea fowl – If you can find them
• Domestic pigeons – But NOT wild pigeons!

Game Birds (With Hunting License/During Season):

• Ring-necked pheasants – Non-native, so not protected
• Wild turkeys – ONLY if legally hunted with proper tags
• Quail (certain species) – Check your state regulations
• Grouse/Ptarmigan – With proper hunting permits

Invasive Species (Usually Legal):

• European starlings – Not protected!
• House sparrows – Also not protected
• Rock pigeons (common pigeons) – In most areas

Important: Always check your state laws too – some states have additional protections!

How to Tell Legal from Illegal Birds

Here’s my quick field guide for bone collectors:

If it came from a grocery store or butcher = Legal
If it has a hunting tag attached = Legal (keep the tag!)
If you found it in the wild = Probably illegal (unless it’s a starling, house sparrow, or pigeon)
If you’re not 100% sure = Leave it alone!

My Favorite Sources for Legal Bird Bones

Since finding out about the MBTA, I’ve had to get creative:

1. Grocery stores – Save those chicken and turkey carcasses! Rotisserie chickens are perfect for beginners.
2. Local butchers – They often have duck and goose, especially around holidays.
3. Hunting friends – Ask them to save you the bones from their legal game birds. Make sure they include documentation!
4. Ethnic markets – I’ve found quail, guinea fowl, and other interesting legal species.
5. Farms and homesteaders – Many will happily give you their processing leftovers.
6. Taxidermy suppliers – They sell legal specimens with proper documentation.

What If You Already Have Illegal Bird Bones?

If you’re reading this and suddenly realizing that crow skull on your shelf is illegal (been there!), here’s what to do:

1. Don’t panic – Nobody’s going to raid your house over old bones
2. Don’t sell or trade them – That’s when people usually get caught
3. Consider donating them – Museums and universities can often legally possess them for education
4. Return them to nature – Put them back where you found them (or similar habitat)
5. Document and photograph – At least keep the memories!

The Silver Lining

While it’s frustrating that we can’t collect wild bird bones, working with domestic and game birds has actually improved my skills. Chicken and turkey bones are perfect for learning cleaning techniques, and you can practice without worrying about damaging rare specimens. Plus, you can get as many as you want!

My daughter now has an impressive collection of various chicken, turkey, and duck skulls, all perfectly legal. She’s even started comparing the differences between heritage breed chickens – who knew there was so much variation?

Final Thoughts

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act might seem like a pain, but it’s actually one of our most successful conservation laws. Bird populations that were nearly extinct in 1918 are now thriving. As bone collectors, we can work within the law and still build amazing collections.

Remember: When in doubt, leave it out! No skull is worth a $15,000 fine.

Happy (legal) collecting!

Have you had any close calls with bird bone laws? What’s your favorite legal bird specimen? Let me know in the comments!

Sources:

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Migratory Bird Treaty Act
• Cornell Lab – Is It Legal to Keep Bird Feathers?
• National Audubon Society – MBTA Explained