The Wild Bird Act

Cockatiels can be owned as pets because they are exempt from the Wild Bird Conservation Act.

The Wild Bird Conservation Act, enacted in 1992, establishes guidelines for breeding and selling exotic birds as pets. Birds native to the United States as well as the District of Columbia are not protected under the act.

Affected Species

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) maintains a list of protected species worldwide. This list includes over 1,000 birds safeguarded under the act.

Trade Restrictions

Birds protected by CITES may not be imported into the United States. Violations of these trade restrictions are punishable by legal action, with offenders subject to both fines and imprisonment.

Breeding

Under the act, only facilities approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior may breed exotic birds. Prospective breeding facilities must obtain a permit and are required to provide humane treatment for birds under their care.

Conservation

The act created the Exotic Bird Conservation Fund, which offers assistance to the home nations of protected birds for conservation purposes.

References

• Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Wild Bird Conservation Act
• Endangered Species Handbook: Legislation: Wild Bird Conservation Act
• CITES: The CITES Species
• Center for Wildlife Law: Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992
• Animal Legal and Historical Center: Wild Exotic Bird Conservation Act