Birders enjoy seeing birds in natural habitats, but birds are disappearing from those habitats, and not because of migration, natural population fluctuations or expected mortality, but through illegal poaching. Understanding bird poaching can help every birder recognize this crime and help keep birds wild and free where they belong.

What Is Poaching?

Poaching is the deliberate hunting, capturing, killing or removal of wild birds from their native habitats without legal permits for those actions.


There are many different reasons birds may be poached, including…

• Harvesting feather plumes, bills, talons or flight feathers for decorative use, such as creating jewelry, decorating clothing or similar uses, whether personal or commercial.
   
• Shooting game birds out of season or without any legal permits, either for sport or to harvest meat or eggs for food or sale.
   
• Killing birds that are suspected of harming crops or livestock, such as killing piscivorous birds at a fishing location or granivorous birds in agricultural fields.
   
• Killing, torturing or otherwise harming birds because of superstitions or cultural beliefs, such as persecuting owls that are believed to be harbingers of death or disease.
   
• Capturing birds to export them into the pet trade or to sell into captivity, such as for tourist use, falconry or to keep as personal pets.

In rare cases, poaching can be accidental when hunters misidentify birds and kill a bird they do not have a permit to hunt. It is no less illegal, however, and any type of poaching is a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and similar legislation in different countries.

Poachers may face stiff fines, jail time and other penalties if convicted, but unfortunately, poaching continues in many areas because of inability to catch poachers or lack of resources to successfully prosecute their crimes.

Birds Vulnerable to Poaching

While all types of birds might be poached, some species are especially vulnerable because of their commercial desirability and stronger appeal to poachers. The exact birds that are frequently poached vary depending on where different species are native, how stiff poaching laws and prosecution may be and the overall demand for illegally obtained birds. Types of birds more vulnerable to poachers include…

• Raptors such as eagles and falcons, poached for falconry or sacred feathers
• Parrots, macaws and toucans to be used as exotic pets or tourist attractions
• Finches, bulbuls and shamas for small cage pets
• Game birds and waterfowl poached for food, including doves and grouse
• Hornbills whose bills will be carved into trinkets or jewelry
• Any endangered or unusual bird species that may be seen as a desirable trophy

Putting an End to Poaching

Despite how prevalent bird poaching can be in different areas, there are steps every birder can take to discourage poaching and help bring criminals to justice, eliminating these crimes and protecting birds.

• Avoid Questionable Products: Never purchase souvenirs such as jewelry, clothing or any items that use bird parts or feathers unless it can be certified that those products were crafted in legal, sustainable ways.
   
• Avoid Bird-Related Gimmicks: Don't fall for the temptation to have a picture taken with a macaw or other exotic bird unless the owners can prove legal possession of the bird, and avoid similar bird-related tourist gimmicks.
   
• Choose Captive-Bred Pets: If birders are interested in pet birds, they should investigate the pet retailer or breeder to be sure their birds are captive-bred from healthy, domestic bloodlines without evidence of poached relatives.
   
• Avoid Exotic Foods: In some areas, gourmet foods may include unusual birds, eggs or even nests, and developing an appetite for those foods can increase the demand for poaching. Avoid such delicacies unless the ingredients were obtained legally.
   
• Demonstrate Birding Economics: When birding, shop at local stores, stay at local hotels, visit local restaurants and choose locally crafted souvenirs to demonstrate how much economic value birding can have to a community – if birds are kept in their native habitats.
   
• Support Anti-Poaching Laws: Contact local government representatives and show support for anti-poaching initiatives and stronger penalties for convicted poachers, including steep fines and plenty of publicity to show that poaching will not be tolerated.
   
• Report Poaching Crimes: Birders who witness poaching or see evidence of illegal treatment of birds should report the details to local wildlife authorities so the crimes can be investigated and prosecuted if possible.
   
• Share Birding Love: Birders should take every opportunity to share their love of birding with others and properly educate them about how important birds are to the ecosystem and how amazing they can be. The more people who love birds, the less acceptable poaching will be.

By understanding what poaching is and how birds are vulnerable, birders are better prepared to help eliminate poaching and keep birds flying free so they can be seen by generations of eager birders.

Photo – Blue and Gold Macaw © Martin Pettitt