How to Identify Bird Feathers in the Field | KNOW #37

[@KoawNature]

It is in my hopes that this video encourages people to learn more about birds. We members of #teamkoaw believe that the more we learn about our natural world then the more we care. Our caring increases the benefit for our global ecosystems and the life within them. I also hope this video attracts more experts, not just novices, to the Found Feathers project and other similar projects on iNaturalist.

[@lesleybullard335]

This video is so helpful, and you are a natural teacher. Thank you for all this useful information and your time and patience making videos. I am now subscribed and excited to keep learning from you!

[@BioBush]

Stuff I learned for the first time in this video: - Tertiary flight feathers exist. - How to pronounce "Remiges" - There is a singular form of "Remiges" and "Retrices" - There are plural forms of "Rachis" and "Calamus" - There are feather identification databases - How to use those databases This is a cornucopia of facts, guidance, and shared experience. Thanks so much for doing the work of assembling and sharing this video!

[@KoawNature]

Like you on your channel, I enjoy spreading the knowledge. Thanks for the great comment!

[@richardrossi5637]

I don’t live in your country, here we can pick up any feather we find, we know that in the majority of cases the feathers are moulted, no bird harmed. Why can’t you keep them? Is there a reason?, not just someone saying it’s bad for whatever reason! I find this amazing!.

[@joharris3188]

Thank you for your expertise. We'll thought out and understandable for the layman.

[@KoawNature]

Much appreciated, Jo! Glad it's useful.

[@p.laetitia4386]

Very helpful video! Thanks from France!

[@markshen3280]

Hi, I am new to your video. May I please know how it can be illegal to pick up bird feather (s) of bird(s) from sidewalks, grass lawns and parks in the US and Canada, and how does picking up bird feathers off the street floor help protect the birds ?

[@markshen3280]

Suppose you see a bird feather 🪶 in your backyard or right on your front doorsteps, would it constitute “illegal” to pick up that bird feather ?

[@markshen3280]

I am from Hong Kong 🇭🇰 SAR. What if birders in the US or Canada do not know or not familiar with bird feathers in Asia, and I pick up that feather 🪶 and bring it home , would that constitute “illegal” ?

[@becdowd9921]

this week, in south FL, I found 9 tiny minute feathers stuck to a lid under my outside work table. Even hummingbirds seem unlikely. Each tiny feather is colored like a quail feather, ha. Blown away at this one.

[@KoawNature]

Oh wow...that does sound like a tricky one.

[@jeanbaum2112]

What do you do with found feathers..

[@OEFarredondo]

Bro your channel is amazing!!!

[@KoawNature]

Thanks Abel! Appreciate that very much.

[@alexanderhaase4574]

Thanks for mentioning our website featherbase :)

[@KoawNature]

Our pleasure! It's a fantastic database!

[@b1bsquid]

whats the best resource for european feathers? im already pretty familiar with the birds where i live in the states, but i visited europe recently and id like to know more about the feathers i saw

[@_chayss]

So, I found a wild turkey feather outside and I brought it into my room and hung it up, should I just go place it back outside? Great video!

[@Owen-_-]

The reason im watching this is because i just found a cardinal feather!!!!

[@KoawNature]

Very cool. A nice red one eh?

[@kattitude121]

That’s awesome! Congrats. ♥️

[@birdytalks8199]

Hi New Friend I found a feather on my door step wanted to see what you think it is was guessing a hawk or falcon

[@KoawNature]

Hey Birdytalks. Post it on www.inaturalist.org ; instructions are in the video. Cheers!

[@ronja365]

Lovely video, although I'm sad to know, that I won't be able to collect any beautiful feathers I find, should I ever come to America :')

[@spinoboi2786]

You can actually keep feathers you find outside but you need to buy a permit if your 16 or over but awesome video

[@KoawNature]

Thanks for sharing that Spinoboi.

[@sarahlarson8226]

Wow! This is a really good one! Wouldn’t a feather chart make a great gift for someone who loves the outdoors? Homemade gifts are The Best. Want to know why feathers are protected? Hats! In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when women wore huge hats decorated with ribbons, artificial flowers, and feathers, some bird species were driven almost to extinction.

[@KoawNature]

Oh yeah, I suppose that was during the time of Flappers right (1918ish)? Or maybe that was later. Feathered hats were probably all the rage. And that's a good idea about the feather charts. Maybe Koaw Nature will have to start a custom product line, haha.

[@sarahlarson8226]

Koaw Nature More the 1880s through 1900s. By the 1910s, hats were getting more minimal.

[@KoawNature]

@@sarahlarson8226 Okay, gotcha.

[@wvglitter7761]

🍀

[@joshcannon3600]

How is picking up a found feather disrespecting or endangering nature?

[@KoawNature]

I image your comment is in regards to the illegal aspect of feather-keeping? I believe it's not so much about disrespecting wildlife but rather it just not wanting to create a market for feathers; it lessens the amount of poachers willing to kill to make some bucks. So making feathers illegal for possession is it's an umbrella move as it is very hard to enforce. Just my thoughts on it.

[@dakotadays7948]

Oh wow o.o I didn't know that I wasn't alowd to keep a feather

[@KoawNature]

Yeah. It's not really as if wildlife officials are monitoring this with a keen eye. But now you know!

[@nickhaley1212]

Sometimes it's hard not getting arrested lol

[@KoawNature]

Haha. Yes...

[@dorothysewing9997]

If you can’t keep the feathers, then the people from the Harry Potter movies would be in trouble because they write using feather quills.

[@evanzrogeras2147]

Supper hutto ❤️

[@KoawNature]

Thanks, maybe? I have no idea what hutto means!

[@thetruequeenofthenorth975]

Good luck fining someone for picking up and keeping a feather lol

[@saberchampion3339]

There’s feathers appearing in my pillow and I need to detect what bird was doing it

[@KoawNature]

Call the manufacturer.

[@saberchampion3339]

@@KoawNature I don’t know the manufacturer it was shipped to me by Amazon

[@laurynrose4197]

I picked up multiple leaves and feathers today in the most racist town in America I swear to God if they would’ve said something I would freak the hell vulture culture is my love

[@KoawNature]

Now I'm curious what town you're referring to.

[@laurynrose4197]

@@KoawNature I’m In Harrison Arkansas

[@laurynrose4197]

@@KoawNature It’s really not that bad recently I’ve been feeling strange about walking around town because old men stop to ask me if I need a ride when my thumb is not out I’m not trying to have someone to sell my organs or abduct me because I’m black. Harrison Arkansas isn’t actually the most racist place because there’s racism everywhere but you can look it up

[@KoawNature]

​@@laurynrose4197 Ah, gotcha.