Migratory Bird Treaty Act

History: In 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) was established in Canada and the United States of America. This treaty was created because there was an overexploitation of migratory birds (including waterfowl) for use in commercial sales such as women's fashion hats. With the establishment of this act, take of migratory birds was not permitted. Take includes killing, removing, capturing any part of a bird, which can encompass a feather, egg, nest, or body. Currently, 800 birds are listed under this act, including many of the waterfowl. Waterfowl, however, are classified as game species, so take is permitted on them during certain seasons because this is traditional and a part of the American culture. Fines of people disobeying the laws of this treaty go to funding wetland conservation under the NAWCA (North American Wetland Conservation Act).
Mission statement: “The mission of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Migratory Bird Program is to conserve migratory bird populations and their habitats for future generations, through careful monitoring, effective management, and by supporting national and international partnerships that conserve habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.”
Besides fining law-breakers, the MBTA began conducting breeding surveys in 1955, wintering surveys in 1935 to monitor the populations with extensive surveys conducted in North America. Also, hunters report their harvest since 1961 to gain an idea of the species being hunted and to determine if it effects the populations.