In the Seattle area, eagles nest in the trees in the parks. You can see them soaring looking for mice and cats to eat all the time. I live under the airport landing pattern, and like to sit on the porch watching the eagles and the 747 heavies floating by :-) Occasionally a B-17 will clatter by (they give out rides at Boeing Field).
Wait, I'm a European that was on a trip to Canada 2 years ago. A bald eagle flew by and lost one of its feathers mid flight. Naturally, I picked it up and took it back home.
On the way home, we had to make a stop at an American airport. If someone had seen or found the feather in my luggage, would it have been considered an offence?
That is correct. You can't posses their feathers even if you found them on the ground. In fact, in the U.S., hawks and owls are protected too.
"All hawks and owls are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC, 703-711). These laws strictly prohibit the capture, killing, or possession of hawks or owls without special permit. No permits are required to scare depredating migratory birds except for endangered or threatened species, including bald and golden eagles."
"In addition, most states have regulations regarding hawks and owls. Some species may be common in one state but may be on a state endangered species list in another." Source: http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/HawksOwls.asp
I remember there being a bald eagle's nest off of a fairway at a golf course in Colorado. I always wondered what would happen if someone shanked it and killed one by accident since they are protected. Now I know what would happen to the bird!
