[Nhcoll-l] USFWS closing migratory bird salvage permits

Tue Jan 27 16:31:01 EST 2026

Hi Katrina,

We've been struggling with this, too. Here's how we're interpreting it for
now, in the absence of clearer guidance from USFWS:

   - Permits are no longer required for public institutions to “*possess*
   lawfully acquired migratory bird specimens without a permit for the
   purposes of public conservation-education programs or *public archival
   purposes*”.
   - Permits are also no longer required for individuals to *salvage*
   migratory birds found dead if they are “promptly disposed of by donation to
   a person or entity authorized to receive them”.
   - So, museum staff members as individuals are authorized to *salvage*
   migratory birds without a permit, and museums are allowed to
*possess* migratory
   birds dropped off by individuals for *public archival purposes* without
   a permit.

To me, the outstanding question here is whether USFWS considers salvaging
migratory birds for the purpose of preserving and stewarding them for
hypothetical future research counts as *public archival purposes* or if it
counts as salvaging birds for research purposes. I think it's the former,
but it doesn't matter what we think, only what the permitting body thinks.
We've posed this question to USFWS staff via the Ornithological Council and
I can report back when/if we get an answer.

Best,
Catherine

Catherine M. Early, PhD

*she/her/hers*

Barbara Brown Chair of Ornithology

cearly at smm.org

https://catherineearly.wixsite.com/home

We envision a world where everyone has the power to use science to make
lives better,
and we are committed to using STEM as a tool to advocate for justice and
equity.

On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 3:09 PM Emily M. Braker <emily.braker at colorado.edu>
wrote:

> Hi Katrina,
>
>
>
> If you type “all” in the ‘select species’ search on the application there
> is an option to select “migratory bird gen. authorization” so that you do
> not have to list out every species that you may encounter.
>
>
>
> Hope this helps!
>
>
>
> Best,
> Emily
>
>
>
>
>
> Emily Braker
>
> Vertebrate Collections Manager, Zoology Section
>
> University of Colorado Museum of Natural History
>
> 265 UCB, Bruce Curtis Building
>
> Boulder, CO 80309-0218
>
> Phone: 303-492-8466
>
> https://www.colorado.edu/cumuseum/research-collections/vertebrates
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> *On Behalf Of *Derieg,
> Katrina
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 27, 2026 1:57 PM
> *To:* NHCOLL-new <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject:* [Nhcoll-l] USFWS closing migratory bird salvage permits
>
>
>
> [External email - use caution]
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Apologies if this has already been discussed, I only recently got
> re-subscribed to this listserv.
>
>
>
> I'm sure many of you got the email from USFWS stating that they've done
> away with the bird salvage permit, but that a scientific collecting permit
> is "required to salvage birds for research, including to collect samples
> from salvaged birds".
>
>
>
> I'm wondering how other folks are handling this. We receive salvage birds
> from the public (who, based on the new regs, don't need a permit), but it
> seems incredibly onerous for us to apply for a collecting permit because it
> requires you to list *all* species since it is really geared towards
> targeted collecting (vouchers & non-lethal samples). It seems they've made
> it easier for random people to pick up birds but much harder for
> museums... Interested in people's thoughts on this.
>
>
>
> Here is the email from USFWS for reference:
>
> Dear Permittee,
>
> We are writing to let you know that *all Migratory Bird Salvage permits
> will be closed*. We have revised our regulations and most salvage
> activities no longer require a permit (see “Who Needs a Permit to Salvage”
> below).
>
>
>
> *New Regulations*: On December 31, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
> Service published a final rule titled: Regulatory Authorizations for
> Migratory Bird and Eagle Possession by the General Public, Educators, and
> Government Agencies.
> <https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-12-31/pdf/2024-31015.pdf>This
> rule includes a new regulatory authorization for most salvage activities,
> replacing the current permit requirement. As of December 31, 2024, the
> general public may salvage migratory birds found dead in accordance with
> the regulatory authorization located at 50 CFR 21.16
> <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-21.16>. A migratory bird
> salvage permit is no longer required for these activities. Please review (50
> CFR 21.16 <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-21.16>) to
> ensure you are familiar with the regulatory authorization conditions and
> record keeping requirements.
>
>
>
> *Who Needs a Permit to Salvage*: A permit is still required to salvage
> birds for research purposes, utility purposes, or other purpose with a
> migratory bird permit. For research, including to collect samples from
> salvaged birds, please apply for a scientific collecting permit
> <https://fwsepermits.servicenowservices.com/fws?id=fws_kb_view&sys_id=95d5d2fa1ba210102de120eae54bcb1f>.
> For utilities, a special purpose utility permit
> <https://fwsepermits.servicenowservices.com/fws?id=fws_kb_view&sys_id=85c091791b1f50101f45dbdbe54bcb45> allows
> salvage of migratory birds found dead on or near utility property,
> infrastructure, or rights-of-way. If your activities still require a permit
> (e.g. research or utilities), you will need submit the appropriate permit
> application for that activity.
>
>
>
> *Annual Report*: The last Annual Report that was required for this permit
> was for calendar year 2024 since the Rule went into effect on December 31,
> 2024. You do not need to submit an Annual Report for 2025.
>
>
>
> Additional information about the new regulatory authorizations can be
> found here:
>
> Authorized Activities - No Permit Required | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
> <https://www.fws.gov/program/migratory-bird-permits/authorized-activities-no-permit-required>
>
>
>
> This email is your receipt of the notification of closure and no further
> action is required from you regarding your Migratory Bird Salvage permit.
>
>
>
>
>
> *KATRINA DERIEG **(she/her)*
>
> *Curator | Museum Collections and Outreach Coordinator*
>
> *Phillip L. Wright Zoological Museum (UMZM)*
>
> *Health Science 104  |   32 Campus Drive   |   406-243-4743*
>
> *katrina.derieg at umontana.edu <katrina.derieg at umontana.edu> |
> umzm at mso.umt.edu <umzm at mso.umt.edu>*
>
> *University of Montana*
>
>
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