While touching feathers is okay, some feathers are federally protected under The Migratory Treaty Act of 1918. The treaty protects migratory birds and prohibits taking, capturing, selling and transporting any protected bird species without prior authorization, according to the act.
The possession of feathers and other parts of native North American birds without a permit is prohibited by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
Feathers, although not particularly dirty themselves, may carry bacteria or viruses that can transfer to your hands, so it is good to get into the habit of washing your hands with soap when you come in from outside.
In almost all circumstances, that feather you found has to stay where it is. The exceptions are as follows: Gamebirds — any bird which is legally allowed to be hunted, as such, must be legal to possess in some capacity. This still doesn't mean that just anyone can pick up their feathers.
Playing with feathers is not particularly hazardous and is huge fun, but use commonsense measures to reduce risks: Ensure children wash their hands after handling 'real' found-on-the-ground feathers. If a 'found' feather looks particularly grimy then don't collect it.
Feathers can also be used to tickle people, making them ideal for anyone who engages in a tickle fetish. If using feathers for a tickle fetish then key areas to tickle are typically the feet, the side of the torso, or other sensitive areas.
It is illegal to retain the specimen or parts of it (including feathers) without the appropriate permission from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Dead birds found interstate should be taken to the local state museum - it is illegal to carry these across state borders without the appropriate permits.
Let's just get this out of the way up front: Yes, it's illegal to collect the feathers of native birds, even if you just found them on the ground. The law says that you are not allowed to collect feathers. The technical reason is that native birds and their parts are covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The feather may be a validation of your intuition or a hunch you had been feeling to follow one path or another. Feathers may also appear in your dreams, in which it would be helpful to ask yourself similar questions.
According to Classic Brands, a site for bird education and bird feeder sales, it's safe to touch feathers, provided that you aren't near any avian flu cases.
Our lead staff scientist confirmed that while it's "possible" to get a disease from bird feathers, the probability is very slim.
Bird feathers
Although not as common as bird feces, feathers can also be responsible for the spread of diseases. A bird feather, particularly from those living in urban environments, can often play host to a range of parasites, bacteria and viruses.
Don't pick up or handle WILD ducks unless it's medically essential. Don't ever pick up or handle a wild duck unless one is injured and needs to be taken to a waterfowl/wildlife rescue. Related: We'd also generally advise against feeding wild ducks. Wild ducks need to maintain their fear of humans for their own safety.
Down With Down
Although most down is removed from ducks and geese during slaughter, birds in breeding flocks and those raised for meat and foie gras may endure the trauma of plucking every six weeks before they are eventually killed. But no matter where it comes from, down is a product of cruelty to animals.
Wash with a mild soap like dish soap. Gently rub off any dirt by moving your fingers from the base toward the tip of the feather, like petting a cat, who likes its fur rubbed the right way. Rinse with clean water. Air dry or dry with a hair drier.
To preserve the feathers we advise the use of transparent bags –the ones used to freeze food– or to fix them to cardboards inside plastic folders. After that, regardless of the chosen method, we will arrange them in filing folders. If the collection is small, we recommend using photo albums.
In a domestic compost bin, bird feathers will break down within just a few months if mixed with a good carbon source.
Individuals can collect, keep, and use discarded or naturally shed parts of a protected animal for a private collection or use, such as a bird's feather or snake skin. This applies to natural products used for artwork, even though that art may be sold in the future.
They are used to make headdresses, masks and to adorn clothes. Australian Aborigines even glued emu feathers to their feet to enable them to walk without leaving a trace!
They likely came from terrified birds who were killed for their flesh or skin. Just like buying items made with down, purchasing ones made with feathers supports the cruel meat and exotic-skin industries, because many farmers who raise birds for food or clothing make an extra profit by selling their feathers.
Eyelash glue is going to be your best friend for attaching the feathers since it is safe for skin contact and will wash off relatively easily, while still making sure the feathers will stay on your face all day long.
People may hate being tickled due to the loss of control over their bodies, experts say. Tickling can overwhelm the nervous system, causing actual, if temporary, paralysis, Alan Fridlund, Ph. D., associate professor in the department of psychological and brain sciences at the University of California, told Vice.
When people try to tickle themselves, the tell-tale area of the brain shows little if any reaction. But to every rule there is an exception. Schizophrenia can mean that people with the disorder are able to tickle themselves.