Wild Bird Conservation Act

"The purpose of this title is to promote the conservation of exotic birds by...ensuring that all trade in species of exotic birds involving the United States is biologically sustainable and is not detrimental to the species..." Sec. 103 of the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA).

The WBCA was enacted on October 23, 1992, to ensure that exotic bird species are not harmed by international trade. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) may issue permits to allow import of listed birds for scientific research, zoological breeding or display, or personal pet purposes when the applicant meets certain criteria. The Service may approve cooperative breeding programs of WBCA-protected birds, and subsequent import permits under such breeding programs. The WBCA also encourages wild bird conservation programs in countries of origin. For example, wild-caught birds may be imported into the United States if they were produced in accordance with Service-approved management plans for sustainable use of the species.

Personal Pets

Frequently Asked Questions/Facts

WBCA Final rule summary (31 kb pdf)
WBCA Summary of effects (59 kb pdf)
Traveling abroad with your pet bird (58 kb pdf)
General permit information FAQ's

Application Forms

You can find permit application forms in the following ways:

1. Select by WBCA application type:

Import of a personal pet bird (form 3-200-46)
Import for zoological breeding and display (form 3-200-47)
Import for scientific research (form 3-200-47)
Approval of a cooperative breeding program (form 3-200-49)
Import under a cooperative breeding program (form 3-200-48)
Approval of sustainable use management plan (form 3-200-50)

2. Select the form by application form number

3. Search on a keyword within the general permit application index

Federal Register Notices

The FWS publishes notices of receipt of applications to approve cooperative breeding programs. We do not publish such notices for the receipt of applications for import permits under approved cooperative breeding programs. To find a notice, search by applicant name.
The FWS also announces availability of other WBCA documents in the Federal Register.
Blue-fronted Amazon parrot proposed rule, August 6, 2003 (73 kb pdf)
Blue-fronted Amazon parrot, notice of draft environmental assessment, January 8, 2003 (41 kb pdf)
Approved list of captive-bred species, Notice of Review, May 29, 2001(41 kb pdf)

Federal Register notices are available at the following sites:

Law/Regulations
The WBCA ensures that exotic birds are not harmed by trade to the United States and encourages wild bird conservation programs in countries of origin.

Wild Bird Conservation Act
Summary of Act (Federal Digest)
Regulations (50 CFR Part 15)

Species Listed under WBCA
Most bird species listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are listed under WBCA, with the following exemptions:

Parts, products, or derivatives
Birds native to the 50 States and the District of Columbia
Two parrot species: budgie (Melopsittacus undulates) and cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
Birds in the following families:
- Anatidae (ducks, swans, and geese)
- Cracidae (guans and currasows)
- Dromaiinae (emus)
- Gruidae (cranes)
- Megapodidae (megapodes)
- Numididae (guineafowl)
- Phasianidae (pheasants and quails)
- Rheidae (rheas)
- Struthionidae (ostriches)
In addition, permits are not required for approved captive-bred birds (41 kb pdf)

Some birds listed under the WBCA are also protected under other conservation laws and treaties. For further information, please refer to these species lists.

Last updated: November 20, 2008