birdsoup

in the 1980s feathers were all the rage, not for birds, but for humans, especially woman. Feathers were the ultimate decoration for women’s clothing especially hats. A hat without feathers just was not stylish. The more feathers, the more style.

Frank Chapman, who was the ornithologist at the Museum of Natural History, led a memorable bird walk in Manhattan in1896  . He wasn’t looking for songbirds in Central Park or pigeons on the streets. He was looking for feathers on women’s hats. He observed 700 hats on women of all classes, 75% of them contain feathers. He spotted feathers from over 40 domestic species with feathers from Cedar Waxwings, Flicker, and Terns being the most common.

The use of feathers in the millinery trade grew and became big business. Originally molted feathers were picked up from the ground, but hunting was more profitable. In 1903 hunter received $32 dollars per ounce of feathers. The rate later reached $80. The long, snowy plumes of egrets and herons became very fashionable. As a results, egrets and heron were actively hunted and killed for their feathers.

Fledging Audubon organizations and other nature and conservation groups rallied in protest at the destruction of birds for their feathers. One of the first Audubon sanctuaries, a large rookery in Florida, was set aside to protect the birds. A park ranger was employed to maintain the sanctuary and prevent hunting. Unfortunately he was killed pursuing his duties.  As a result of his senseless death and many other efforts from conservations groups the use of feathers greatly diminished.   In 1900 congress passed the Lacy Act which banned interstate transportation of birds killed in violation of state laws.  At least, I hope, that common sense prevailed and that the diminishing was not just the end of a fashion trend.

Today it is illegal to have a feather in your possession. This law is intended to protect Bald Eagles and other large raptors. One exception is for native Americans to whom the feathers take on an almost religious significance. Without the law you could imagine hunters killing eagles just to get feathers for making Indian headdresses and other decorations to sell.

Simple feathers look good on birds and on people, but are better left for the birds.