Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bird nest hair collection Options

[Va-Bigfoot]

Early last year I came up with a novel method to collect hair from the forest floor. Birds collect animal hair from the forest floor and use it to build their nests and also help insulate their nests. Most birds use this method in their nest building practices. I was hoping that if bird nesting boxes were distributed in a grid array, it might be possible to collect animal hair and possibly Bigfoot hair from the nests, at least one could prove scientifically that certain animals pass through or possible live in the are where the hair was collected.

Last year, I applied for a Virginia and also West Virginia Scientific collection permit to collect bird nests as a way to help document animal identification in remote forested locations. Initially, my requests were met with positive feedback until I got a call from the WV Department of Natural Resources. I was told that it was unlawful to remove or possess any birds nest from any location, even private property because almost every bird and nest is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. After the phone call I contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they confirmed what the WVDNR told me.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife representative also stated the Department of Interior employees may, without a search warrant arrest a person violating the MBTA. Penalties include fines to $2000.00 and two years in jail.

Since learning about the laws and penalties, I have abandoned my Bird Nest Collection Method and would advise anyone presently using or thinking about using this collection method to stop immediately. This is my official disclaimer that I am not pursuing this collection method, nor is anyone from the Virginia Bigfoot Research Organization.


Thank you.

William M. Dranginis
Virginia Bigfoot Research Organization

This post has been edited by Va-Bigfoot: May 4 2008, 05:05 PM

[Apeman]

[bigfootnis]

I wonder if it is possible to collect hair samples from nests without disturbing the nest? It seems like an ingenious way to conduct research on wildlife in an area. On a side note, it seems bird eggs would be a decent source of food for a bf who would be able to reach high, climb, or shake off the tree most birds nests. Has this behavior ever been reported?

[bigfootnis]

Just did a little research in the following birds are not covered under the migratory bird act:

Family MEGAPODIIDAE

Megapodius laperouse, Micronesian Megapode+ (NMI)‡

Family PHASIANIDAE

Bonasa umbellus, Ruffed Grouse+ (cont. U.S.)

Centrocercus minimus, Gunnison Sage-Grouse+ (CO, UT)

Centrocercus urophasianus, Greater Sage-Grouse+ (w. U.S.)

Dendragapus obscurus, Blue Grouse+ (w. U.S.)

Falcipennis canadensis, Spruce Grouse (n. U.S.)

Lagopus lagopus, Willow Ptarmigan+ (n. U.S.)

Lagopus leucurus, White-tailed Ptarmigan+ (n. U.S.)

Lagopus mutus, Rock Ptarmigan+ (n. U.S.)

Meleagrus gallopavo, Wild Turkey+ (cont. U.S.)

Tympanuchus cupido, Greater Prairie-Chicken+ (c. & w. U.S.)‡

Tympanuchus pallidicinctus, Lesser Prairie-Chicken+ (c. & w. U.S.)

Tympanuchus phasianellus, Sharp-tailed Grouse+ (n. & w. U.S.)

Family ODONTOPHORIDAE

Callipepla californica, California Quail+ (CA, NV, OR)

Callipepla gambelii, Gambel’s Quail+ (sw U.S.)

Callipepla squamata, Scaled Quail+ (sw U.S.)

Colinus virginianus, Northern Bobwhite+ (cont. U.S.)

Cyrtonyx montezumae, Montezuma Quail+ (sw U.S.)

Oreortyx pictus, Mountain Quail+ (w. U.S.)

Family BURHINIDAE

Burhinus bistriatus, Double-striped Thick-knee (TX)

Family GLAREOLIDAE

Glareola maldivarum, Oriental Pratincole (AK)

Family PSITTACIDAE

Amazona vittata, Puerto Rican Parrot+ (PR)‡

Aratinga chloroptera, Hispaniolan Parakeet (PR–Extirpated)

Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha, Thick-billed Parrot (AZ, NM)‡

Family TODIDAE

Todus mexicanus, Puerto Rican Tody+ (PR)

Family MELIPHAGIDAE

Moho braccatus, Kauai Oo+ (HI)‡

Family MONARCHIDAE

Chasiempis sandwichensis, Elepaio+ (HI)‡

Clytorhynchus vitiensis, Fiji Shrikebill+ (AS)

Myiagra freycineta, Guam Flycatcher+ (GU)

Monarcha takatsukasai, Tinian Monarch+ (NMI)

Rhipidura rufifrons, Rufous Fantail+ (GU, NMI)

Family TIMALIIDAE

Chamaea fasciata, Wrentit+ (CA, OR, WA)

Family ZOSTEROPIDAE

Zosterops conspicillatus, Bridled White-eye+ (GU, NMI)‡

Family COEREBIDAE

Coereba flaveola, Bananaquit+ (PR, VI)

Family DREPANIDINAE

Hemignathus flavus, Oahu Amakihi+ (HI)

Hemignathus kauaiensis, Kauai Amakihi+ (HI)

Hemignathus lucidus, Nukupuu+ (HI)‡

Hemignathus munroi, Akiapolaau+ (HI)

Hemignathus parvus, Anianiau+ (HI)

Hemignathus virens, Hawaii Amakihi+ (HI)

Himatione sanguinea, Apapane+ (HI)

Loxioides baileui, Palila+ (HI)‡

Loxops caeruleirostris, Akekee+ (HI)

Loxops coccineus, Akepa+ (HI)

Melamprosops phaeosoma, Poo-uli [=Po’ouli] + (HI-Extinct 2004)‡

Oreomystis bairdi, Akikiki+ (HI)

Oreomystis mana, Hawaii Creeper+ (HI)‡

Palmeria dolei, Akohekohe [=Crested Honeycreeper]+ (HI)‡

Paroreomyza flammea, Kakawahie [=Molokai Creeper]+ (HI)‡

Paroreomyza maculata, Oahu Alauahio [=Oahu Creeper]+ (HI–probably Extinct)‡

Paroreomyza montana, Maui Alauahio+ (HI)

Pseudonestor xanthophrys, Maui Parrotbill+ (HI)‡

Psittirostra psittacea, Ou+ (HI)‡

Telespiza cantans, Laysan Finch+ (HI)‡

Telespiza ultima, Nihoa Finch+ (HI)‡

Vestiaria coccinea, Iiwi+ (HI)

[Va-Bigfoot]

Bigfootnis,

I have been using another method since getting shot down last year. The new system works really good and you don't break any laws!

You still need to layout a grid array on your map to cover the suspected search area. When you head out to the location, use your GPS to locate your first collection point. The new method uses a 30 gallon plastic trash bag and a regular car wash mitt. When you reach your location, fill the garbage bag about 1/3rd full of leaves, then close the bag while trapping as much air as you can in it. Then shake the bag a few times and rub the bag using the mitt, then shake the bag again. Make sure the leaves are dry or it won't work. This simple method utilizes static electricity build-up to attract the animal’s hairs to the inside of the trash bag. After you shake the bag a few times, dump out the leaves and fold up the bag and use a silver magic marker and mark the GPS information on it along with the date, time and who collected the evidence.

When you get back home, systematically cut open the bags and lay one out flat, use a moist paper towel to wipe the hairs from the inside of the bag. Put the hairs from that bag into an envelope and mark it accordingly.

Then you can attempt to identify the hairs using microscopic examination. Be sure to keep complete records identifying the results from each bag. Once the hairs are identified, post your results on a map to indicate what animals you have in your research area. If you should find the one in a million Bigfoot hair pass it on to others for positive identification if you’re not sure. If you can, pay special attention around the creeks.

Good luck!

William M. Dranginis
Manassas, VA.
www.VirginiaBigfootResearch.Org.

[Catmandu]

Va-Bigfoot, interesting approach to use static electricity. I have tried a mechanical method in the way of hook and loop material to snag and retain items for inspection. I purchased a large quantity of 2" wide hook & loop material at salvage prices. I wear un-powdered nitrile or latex gloves. I wrap one hand with hook material. I am able to wipe or pat down surfaces with the palm or back of the hand. Works on wet or dry substrates, irregular surfaces and holes. The hook and loop material will retain unwanted debris. I peel the glove/wrap off into a zip-lock type bag and examine it later.

[ganglian]

Thats too bad as it seemed like a very good idea, but certainly good to know the repricussions befor eyou were to find out the hard way.

[FoxMulder]

I was told that it was unlawful to remove or possess any birds nest from any location, even private property because almost every bird and nest is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. After the phone call I contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they confirmed what the WVDNR told me.

Why would you have to remove or possess said nests? could you not just set up the nesting boxes in the aforementioned grid-pattern and just examine them in-situe? any strands of hair that you saw in the nests could be extracted with tweezers for further examination without either possessing or removing the nests. I imagine this could be easily done without harming the birds.

[Va-Bigfoot]

FoxMulder,

You’re correct, the extraction method you mentioned could be done, it would take some time, but it is possible. From my conversation with the authorities, migratory birds usually come back to the same nest year after year, I didn’t know that. The laws go as far to say that it is illegal to even posses the nest building materials.

I was hoping to use the bird nest idea to set-up State or local game agencies, if they found a hair they couldn’t identify, possibly a Bigfoot hair, there would be a paper trail of the identification process and ultimately the results. If it did turn out to be from an unknown creature, maybe the State or local agency would finally acknowledge that there is something else lurking in the forests other than the common animals that live in the area. Something Bigfoot researchers have been saying all along.