Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings collection
Date of this Version
March 1974
Abstract
Probably the most significant changes in U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service legislation that might have an effect on those engaged in animal control work would have to do with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 recently amended, and one piece of proposed legislation which I'll mention at closing. In March 1972, an amendment to our treaty with Mexico became effective. And more recent, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 had a section added to it having to do with airborne hunting. About two years ago, the amendment to the Mexican treaty added 32 families of birds not previously covered under that document. Because some of these new families were previously covered under the treaty with Great Britain for Canada, the new amendment really only added 11 families not previously classed as Migratory Birds by the Federal Government. Now, almost all birds found in North America are classed as Migratory Birds. The most common exceptions are the English sparrow, starlings, psittacines and the families of birds covering grouse, pheasants, turkeys, quail, etc. Your thinking on these new additions should now have changed to consider most birds as Migratory Birds. Some of you may not be aware that all hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures and owls are Migratory Birds. And, so are crows, ravens, jays and magpies. Before this recent amendment, both the white and brown pelican were protected only under State laws. Now they, too, are Migratory Birds under Treaty protection.