Who can possess an Eagle feather?

Answer 1

As far as bald eagles go, only Native Americans can possess them. I believe it is a federal offense to be in possession of eagle feathers unless you are a Native American, since they use the feathers for ceremonies.

I'm not sure what the rules are now, now that the bald eagle has been taken off of the endangered species list.

Answer 2

As folks have mentioned, this can vary depending upon where in the world one is located.

In the United States, this tends to cover those birds on the Endangered Species list. (This is where the Federal Offense part comes into play.)

The current list I find includes:
• Spanish imperial eagle
• Madagascar serpent eagle
• Greenland white-tailed eagle
• Bald eagle (In these states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY)
• Madagascar sea eagle
• Harpy eagle
• Philippine eagle

The second link below contains more of a global list of endangered eagles (as well, as safe, vulnerable, near-endangered, etc.). • Folks going here will have to enter the search word "eagle" themselves, as the link doesn't go the results list, sorry.

In short, check with your local governement's version of a "fish & game" department *BEFORE* taking possession of even so much as a feather.

Answer 3

By law in the US, only a registered Native American can possess an eagle, owl or hawk feather - or other part of the body included. These Natives carry a tribal registration card and must use it to 'order' their bird wings, and other parts from a Depository (in
several different states). These are sacred to them.

Answer 4

Just check with a government regulatory office in your local area.

Just a short note to the other answers of this question, not all eagles are in America, so the answer only 'Native American Indians' may be correct where you come from, but not in general. Sorry for my rant, but yahoo answers is worldwide, not just America.

Answer 5

It seems like only Native Americans who are enrolled in a federally recognized tribe, according to wikipedia. I know a lot of people use wikipedia as a source, but I'm not sure if it's always accurate! One of my college professors told us it is illegal for anyone (aside from Native Americans) to possess ANY kind of bird feather. She was part Cherokee.