birdsoup

Around the turn of the 19th century, the latest trend in women’s fashion was showy hats festooned with feathers the more, the better. Large feathers from egrets, herons, and ostriches were particularly popular. Feathers were in great demand. And they were costly. At one point, an ounce of feathers was worth more than an ounce of gold. Providing feathers to the millinery trade became a big business.

Frank Chapman, the top ornithologist at the Museum of Natural History in New York, was concerned about the fate of birds. He participated in the very first Christmas bird count. In 1886 he went on another famous bird walk. He strolled down 5th Avenue observing ladies hats. Of the 700 hats he spotted, 75% contained feathers. And he noted feathers from 40 different species of birds, everything from robins to eagles. This walk confirmed the popularity of feathers and the sad fate of many birds.

Although ostrich farms were created in several states, the easiest way to accumulate a large supply of feathers was to kill a large number of birds. Killing of birds was common in many areas.

Like most fads, the craze for feathers eventually passed. Yet, in a strange way, it helped protect birds. Bird lovers around the country were horrified at the killing and took action that resulting of the enactment of laws protecting native birds, laws that are still enforce today.