The Migratory Bird Collecting permit can authorize you to collect, transport, or possess migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs for scientific research or educational purposes. The Eagle Scientific Collecting permit can authorize you to collect, transport within the US, and possess bald eagles and/or golden eagles, their parts (including feathers, toenail clippings, blood, DNA, and other samples), nests, and/or eggs.
Who Needs It
- Collecting, transporting, or possessing migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs for scientific research or educational purposes.
- For Eagle Scientific Collecting only, must be a public museum, public scientific society, or public zoological park.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
No Permit Required If:
- You hold a valid USGS-Bird Banding Lab permit for banding and marking and your activities fall within the scope of that permit.
- Your research activities are entirely observational and do not result in the possession, collection, or other take of migratory birds or their nests.
- You are an exempt institution under 50 CFR 21.12(b)(1) and are receiving specimens by donation and/or salvaging under a valid Federal Migratory Bird Salvage permit.
To Complete This Form You Will Need the Following:
- You should review Title 50 Parts 10, 13, and 21.23 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). You must acknowledge having read the Frequently Asked Questions and these regulations as part of your application.
- If you are applying for Eagle Scientific Collecting, you must apply as an organization, completing Section B, C, and D. You must demonstrate that you qualify as a "public museum, public scientific society, or public zoological park," as required in 50 CFR 22.21.
- An incomplete application may cause delays in processing or may be returned to the applicant. Be sure you are filling in the appropriate application form for the proposed activity.
- Please plan ahead. Allow at least 60 days for your application to be processed. Some applications may take longer than 90 days to process. Applications are processed in the order they are received.
- Travelling Internationally? For Migratory Birds, you may request Import/Export authorization to be added to your permit; you do not need to submit a separate Migratory Bird Import/Export Permit application. A separate Eagle Transport permit application is required for international transport of bald eagles and/or golden eagles.
Process
Submit an Application
To submit an application online or through the mail, follow the instructions on our ePermits site.
Need to Submit Your Annual Report?
- Download form 3-202-1 to mail in.
Application Fees
- Application Fee: $100
- Amendment Fee: $50
- Fees are non-refundable. Federal, Tribal, State, and local government agencies, and those acting on the behalf of such agencies, are exempt from the processing fee (documentation may be required).
ePermit ID
3-200-7