Permit Policies & Regulations
As authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits to qualified applicants for the following types of activities: falconry, raptor propagation, scientific collecting, special purposes (rehabilitation, educational, migratory game bird propagation, and salvage), take of depredating birds, taxidermy, and waterfowl sale and disposal.
Migratory bird permit policy is developed by the Migratory Bird Program and the permits themselves are issued by the Regional Bird Permit Offices. The regulations governing migratory bird permits can be found in 50 CFR part 13 and 50 CFR part 21 (Migratory Bird Permits):
50 CFR 10 General Provisions
50 CFR 13 General Permit Procedures
Importation, Exportation, and Transportation of Wildlife
50 CFR 21 Migratory Bird Permits
50 CFR 22 Eagle Permits
Migratory Bird Permit (MBP) Memorandum Series
The purpose of the MBP Memorandum series is to clarify regulations and other existing migratory bird permit policy to ensure internally consistent implementation of the migratory bird permit program.
- Introduction (213.9KB)
- Nest Destruction (555.3KB)
- Educational Use Permits for Falconry Education Programs (233.7KB)
- Use of Pole Traps for Capturing Depredating Raptors (546KB)
- Abatement Activities Using Raptors (1.9MB)
Disposition of Non-releasable Eagles (106.9KB)
Migratory Bird Permit Memorandum (MBPM-6) provides guidance to Service migratory bird permit offices for placement of live non-releasable Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles. Native American tribal eagle aviaries will have priority over other qualified facilities for placement of eagles that have undergone rehabilitation but cannot be released to the wild. Service personnel will follow the guidelines in the Memorandum when placing live non-releasable Bald Eagles or Golden Eagles.