Get Eagle's Eye Newsletter - U.s. Fish And Wildlife Service - Fws

The Priceless Nature of the Bald Eagle Feather Though we can't sell them, their value is priceless. They remind us of the beauty and freedom we cherish. And they are a key part of Native American heritage and tradition. That's the true worth of a bald eagle feather.

It's against the law to kill a Bald Eagle. What is the punishment for killing a bald eagle? The first offense is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $100,000 and a year in jail. A second offense is a felony with a penalty of up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Bald Eagle was delisted at the state level by the Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2016 and the species has continued to prosper. Bald Eagles will continue to be protected under three federal laws: the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Lacey Act.

Bald eagles were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007, and are no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act. However, bald eagles remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Recognizing the significance of eagles to Native Americans, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) established the National Eagle Repository (Repository) in the early 1970s to provide Native Americans with the remains, parts and feathers of golden and bald eagles for religious purposes.

Can I send feathers or dead birds that I find, even though I do not have a permit? No. A salvage permit is required to pick up, possess and transport any federally-protected migratory bird feathers, parts and/or carcass.

Under the current language of the eagle feather law, individuals of certifiable Native American ancestry enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain eagle feathers.