Finding a fallen bird feather often prompts a desire to collect it as a keepsake. However, picking up a feather involves complexities beyond its beauty. The safety of handling a found feather encompasses both biological risks and significant legal considerations, requiring careful thought.
Health Concerns When Encountering Feathers
Feathers, especially those recently shed or soiled, can harbor microorganisms that pose a health risk to humans. The primary biological concern is the transmission of zoonotic pathogens, which are diseases transferable from animals to people. Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli are shed in avian feces and can contaminate feathers, particularly if the feather is damp or found near droppings.
Direct contact with contaminated feathers, followed by touching the face, can introduce these bacteria into the body. Feathers may also carry external parasites such as mites and lice, which can survive briefly off the host bird. While these parasites are unlikely to infest a human permanently, they can cause temporary skin irritation or discomfort.
A more serious, though rare, concern is the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus, H5N1. Studies show the infectious virus can persist on detached feathers for extended periods. This means a feather can act as a fomite, an inanimate object capable of carrying infectious agents. Although human infection is uncommon, the virus’s presence on environmental surfaces like feathers indicates a potential route of exposure.
Legal Implications of Feather Possession
Possession of a found feather is subject to strict federal law in the United States. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) makes it unlawful to possess, sell, or transport any migratory bird or any part of one without a permit. This legislation protects native bird populations from commercial exploitation and includes nearly all native North American species.
The law does not distinguish between a feather plucked from a living bird and one found naturally shed. Since proving how a feather was obtained is nearly impossible, possessing a feather from a protected species violates the MBTA. Violations can result in substantial fines or other penalties, making the legal risk a serious consideration for collectors.
Exemptions to the MBTA
Specific exemptions exist for the MBTA. Feathers from non-native species, such as House Sparrows, European Starlings, and Rock Pigeons, are not protected under the act. Feathers from domesticated birds, including chickens and turkeys, are also exempt. Feathers from legally hunted migratory game birds like waterfowl are exempt if the hunter is permitted. Unless a person can definitively identify a feather as belonging to one of these non-protected species, it must be left where it was found to avoid legal repercussions.
Practical Steps for Safe Handling
If a feather is confirmed to be from a non-protected species and the decision is made to handle it, several practical steps can mitigate biological risks. The first step involves avoiding direct skin contact with the feather itself. This can be accomplished by using disposable gloves or by carefully scooping the feather into an inverted plastic bag.
Immediate and thorough handwashing with soap and water is the most important follow-up action after any contact with a found feather. This process removes any potentially lingering bacteria or viral particles from the skin. The area where the feather was found should also be considered contaminated and cleaned if it is a high-traffic surface.
Disinfecting Collected Feathers
To fully disinfect a legally collected feather for storage, a two-step process is advised.
To eliminate parasites like mites, the feather should be sealed in a plastic bag and placed in a freezer for a minimum of 48 hours. After a brief thaw, the freezing process should be repeated to ensure all life stages of any parasites are destroyed.
Following the freezing process, the feather should be submerged for at least 30 minutes in a sanitizing solution. This solution, such as a 50/50 mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, helps neutralize bacteria and viruses.