Sea gull feathers

[4philbert]

While at the mall over the weekend I noticed quite a few sea gull feathers on the ground. I've never seen them called out in a pattern. Is there a reason for this? Just wondering...........

[Donald Nicolson]

In Skues extensive list of useful birds (to fly dressing ), he only mentions two sea birds -

quote
*Seagull (Seamew). - There are numerous pale blue feathers in the wing of this bird, which, for winging pale summer duns like the Little Pale Blue, and for hackling hackled patterns, look equal to sea swallows.

*Sea Swallow (Common Tern). - Numerous feathers other than the primaries and secondaries, occur in the wing of this bird and on the back, which are highly prized for winging and hackling pale summer patterns of duns. The feather is exceedingly delicate and mobile, and is of a most delicate blue grey.

For more info on Birds, have a look on my site, Skues - Birds.

[Normand]

I believe they are illegal to be in your possession.

at least in the usa

[4philbert]

Interesting re: Skues. Makes sense.

I thought about the illegal angle but since they aren't a "protected" bird per se thought that they may be exempt.

Thanks for the responses.

Phil

[Joe Valencic]

IMO, sea gulls are up there with Canada Geese as my least favorite birds. Seems all they do is eat, poop and bother people. Pretty much useless in my book.

I met a guy who once shot a seagull, took it home and attempted to eat it, All he could say was N A S T Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yuk.

Joe

[Panman]

This subject has been brought up several times in the past. I do not have any expertize in law and the below is my personal opinion.

1. The seagull as well as many other birds are protected the the Migratory Bird Treaty between the US and several other countries. (you can Google up this act)

2. This treaty prohibits the use or possession of birds covered by the the treaty to include their feathers. There are exceptions for birds that are hunted such as ducks, geese and swans.

Here is an excerpt from Cornell University Law school that may be helpful.

Unless and except as permitted by regulations made as hereinafter provided in this subchapter, it shall be unlawful at any time, by any means or in any manner, to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to barter, barter, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, export, import, cause to be shipped, exported, or imported, deliver for transportation, transport or cause to be transported, carry or cause to be carried, or receive for shipment, transportation, carriage, or export, any migratory bird, any part, nest, or eggs of any such bird, or any product, whether or not manufactured, which consists, or is composed in whole or part, of any such bird or any part, nest, or egg thereof, included in the terms of the conventions between the United States and Great Britain for the protection of migratory birds concluded August 16, 1916 (39 Stat. 1702), the United States and the United Mexican States for the protection of migratory birds and game mammals concluded February 7, 1936, the United States and the Government of Japan for the protection of migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction, and their environment concluded March 4, 1972 [1] and the convention between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the conservation of migratory birds and their environments concluded November 19, 1976.

Tim Anderson

[Flyrodde]

Sea gull is a very generic term used for many birds. While some gulls may be protected, some may not be. I would contact a federal or state department and ask for a list of protected and exempt birds.

[DG]

MBTA covers basically anything that flies in this country. Birds that can be hunted and are managed by state and federal agencies (upland birds, ducks, geese, etc), have their own rules, and there are a couple species that do not have any protection (English sparrows, starlings, Eurasian collared doves, for instance) under this act, but to the best of my knowledge, all seabirds, including gulls, are protected. In short, leave the feathers alone. You do NOT want the USFWS knocking on your door about this.

DG

[4philbert]

Ok. I'll stick with "commercial" feathers. Thanks for all the replies.

Phil

[Panman]

Phil:

Don't be afraid of using feathers from birds that can be hunted legally such as pheasants, turkey, grouse, ducks, geese, brant and swans. They have many uses in fly tying and are perfectly legal.

Tim