Hi Everyone, I’m getting some flamingo, and other exotic feathers from a guy today. Is there any fly patterns (freshwater) that use Flamingo feathers?
Thanks -David
[This message has been edited by Flytyer317 (edited 22 March 2005).]
I think this is a great question, and one that occurred to me just the other day. I’m amazed that the flamingo has not been used for more patterns. All sorts of other exotic birds have been used from Parrots to Macaws to Tucans. Why not Flamingos? Both White and Blue Heron are used. I’ve never seen a pattern, even fancy salmon fly patterns, that use the Flamingo. Even the Golden Bird of Paradise is used. What’s up with the Flamingo?
Eric
Check with your local Fish & Game Folks and maybe up the line to Fedral Folks. I am not sure that you can use the feathers.
I think they may be treated like Eagle feathers.
Check before you do anything.
Rick
I thougth flamingos fed on shrimp, the same as bonefish… if that’s the case, you have no worries… just use your bonefish flies for flamingos!! ;0)
Andy
As featured in Trout Fisherman, UK, Jan 2005! I’d still rather be fishin’!!
I would like to suggest that you follow Rick Z’s suggestion. While I have done some internet research on the use of bird feathers I am by no means overly knowledgeable on the subject, I believe the following to be true of wild birds - to include use of their feathers.
a. Wild birds fall into two general categories - Migratory and non-migratory.
1.Of the non-migratory, there is no restriction on the use of their feathers provided that (1) It is legal to take the species (examples are starlings, feral pigeons and sparrows, pheasants, grouse, chukers and most upland bird species) and (2) The bird is not protected by other acts. Such birds would be eagles, hawks conder, etc).
- Of the migratory birds possession of their parts, which includes feathers, is limited to those birds that can be legally harvested as game birds. Of these migratory game birds only the feathers of ducks, geese, brant and swans may be be sold or traded to others. This leaves a small population of migratory game birds which are usually harvested - examples are coots and rails. I contact the USF&WS and found that you cannot sell or trade their feathers, and while I did not ask I think it would be OK to legally harvest a coot and give the feathers away, provided you received nothing in return.
Flamingos are listed in the Migratory Bird Act of 1918 as are a whole bunch of birds. According to info I have gleaned from the net 83 percent of the birds in the US are protected in some manner.
I have seen this subject come up several times in the last couple of years on this site and I would like to see someone with more expertise write an article of what can and cannot be done with various wild bird feathers.
Here is a couple of links that are relative to this subject:
[url=http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html:065ff]http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html[/url:065ff]
[url=http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/treatlaw.html:065ff]http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/treatlaw.html[/url:065ff]
Again I would like to suggest that you follow Rick Z’s suggestion before you get too involved.
Tim Anderson
Just like polar bear,bustard,cock-of-the-rock,etc,you can use it if it was harvested before the ban. CJ