Questions and Answers About the National Eagle Repository

Questions and Answers About the National Eagle Repository

Questions and Answers About the National Eagle Repository
Submitted by Quenah

Forhundreds of years, Native Americans have used eagle feathers forreligious and cultural purposes, including healing, marriage, andnaming ceremonies. In recognition of the significance of these feathersto Native Americans, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established theNational Eagle Repository in the early 1970’s to provide NativeAmericans with the feathers of golden and bald eagles needed forreligious purposes.

Denver Museum of Natural History Photo Archives: Shannon Garcia

Can Native Americans collect their own eagle feathers?

No.As a result of years of habitat loss from urbanization, exposure tochemicals used in agriculture and animal husbandry, and poaching,populations of bald eagles, the national symbol, and golden eagles havebeen reduced in numbers. In an effort to protect these birds, theUnited States Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940,and later amended the Act in 1962 to include protection for goldeneagles. This Act prohibits take, transport, sale, barter, trade, importand export, and possession of eagles, making it illegal for anyone tocollect eagles and eagle parts without a permit.

When eaglesare received at the National Eagle Repository, condition of each eagleand their feathers is noted, and the species and age is recorded.

How does the National Eagle Repository get the eagles?

TheNational Eagle Repository serves as a collection point for dead eagles.Most of the dead golden and bald eagles received by the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service (FWS) have been salvaged by State and Federal wildlifepersonnel. Many of these birds have died as a result of electrocution,vehicle collisions, unlawful shooting and trapping, or from naturalcauses.

The eagles are shipped to the National Eagle Repositoryat the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Denver,Colorado. Each bird is assigned a number for tracking andaccountability purposes, and information about each bird is enteredinto a database. The condition of each eagle and their feathers isnoted, and the species and age is recorded. If part of the bird or itsfeathers are missing, damaged, or broken, FWS staff may add replacementparts from another bird to make it complete. (The recipient is notifiedwhen this is the case prior to shipping). The bird is then stored in afreezer until it is ready to ship, usually within 3-5 days.

Who can obtain an eagle from the Repository?

Onlyenrolled members of a Federally recognized tribe can obtain a permitfrom the FWS, authorizing them to receive and possess eagle feathersfrom the Repository for religious purposes.

How can I obtain an eagle?

The following must be presented when applying for an eagle possession permit:

* A completed application obtained from your nearest FWS Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office.

* Certification of tribal enrollment from the Bureau of Indian Affairs or Tribal Enrollment Office.

Onthe application, you must specify whether you want a golden or baldeagle, a mature or immature bird, a whole bird or specific parts, orhave no preference.

You must provide a current telephonenumber so the Repository staff can contact you by telephone when yourorder is ready to ship. Any changes in your address and/or telephonenumber must be submitted by you to your local FWS Regional MigratoryBird Permit Office to keep your file updated.

Eagles are shipped to applicants within 3-5 days after the eagles are received at the National Eagle Repository.

How long is the wait to obtain an eagle?
Requestsfor eagles are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Eagles aretypically kept at the Repository just long enough to allow FWSpersonnel to contact the next applicant on the waiting list, usually3-5 days. Because of the large demand and the limited supply,applicants can expect to wait about 3 and one half years for a wholeBird order to be filled. Approximately 95% of the orders are for wholeeagles. Currently, there are over 5000 people on the waiting list forapproximately 1000 eagles the Repository receives each year.

May I apply for more than one eagle?
Again,due to the large demand and the limited supply, each applicant canapply for only one whole eagle or specific parts equivalent to one bird(i.e. two wings, one tail, two talons) at a time. Once your request hasbeen filled, you may reapply to receive another eagle.

May I sell objects made from the eagles feathers?
No.Feathers or parts of bald or golden eagles and other migratory birdsmay NOT be sold, purchased, bartered, or traded. They may, however, behanded down to family members, from generation to generation, or fromone Native American to another for religious purposes. Native AmericansCAN NOT give eagle feathers or parts to non-Native Americans as a giftImmature golden eagle tail feathers

Can Eagle feathers and parts be imported or exported?
Yes.The 50 Code of Federal Regulations, part 22, has been amended toprovide for the issuance of a permit to import/export eagle feathersfor religious and cultural purposes. Contact your FWS RegionalMigratory Bird Permit Office for application procedures.

How does the National Eagle Repository benefit wildlife?
Thesalvage efforts of the FWS provides a legal means for Native Americansto acquire eagle feathers for religious purposes. By providing feathersto Native Americans, the pressure to take birds from the wild isreduced, thereby protecting eagle populations.

US Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Permit Offices jim

For more information or to obtain an application, contact the nearest U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Permit Office listed below:

Region 1
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Permit Office/ARW
Eastside Federal Complex
911 N.E.
11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232
(503) 872-2715

Region 2
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Permit Office
Room 5504
P.O.
Box 1306
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103
(505) 248-7882

Region 3
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Permit Office
1 Federal Drive, Box 45
Ft.
Snelling, Minnesota 55111
(612) 713-5436

Region 4
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Permit Section
1875 Century Boulevard
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
(404) 679-7051

Region 5
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Permit Office
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, Massachusetts 01035
(413) 253-8643

Region 6
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Permit Office
P.O.
Box 25486, DFC (60130)
Denver, Colorado 80225
(303) 236-8145

Region 7
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Permit Office
1011 E.
Tutor Road, Room 155
Anchorage, Alaska

Thank You!  Quenah