a thank you from the Feather Project

[felisdomesticus]

I have posted about the Feather Project before.... I will repeat the info for anyone interested below this new info. I sent in a ziplock bag with about 10 feathers wrapped in a paper towel from Scarlett and Bogart about 2 weeks ago. I didn't include any kind of note or other info in the envelope. I got a letter today that stated:

Dear Mr. Felisdomesticus,

Thank you for the Blue and Gold Macaw and Eclectus feathers.

The macaw feathers have been sent, along with others, to Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico for use in the upcoming Winter Solstic ceremonies. The Electus feathers are on their way to a member of the Native American Church in Tuba City, Arizona where they'll become part of a ceremonial fan.

Sincerely,
Jonathan E. Reyman, Ph.D.
Curator of Anthropology

I think that is so cool! I have many more to send, including one of Bogart's center tail feathers. I just need to figure out how to send it securely so that it doesn't break on the way. Those are the really valuable ones...

Here is the info on the Feather Project:

Saving YOUR parrot feathers can help keep parrots in their native lands

Jonathan E. Reyman, Ph.D. who runs The Feather Distribution Project gave a presentation to some of our volunteers and we want to share that information with you. The people of South America, Indonesia, and other lands are often so poor that they try to smuggle parrots out of the country to earn a living. 90% of these birds die in transport. The methods of capture and transfer are extremely barbaric and the birds suffer tremendously before their ultimate death. The few that do survive are usually physically and emotionally traumatized. Sometimes if a parrot is captured for its feathers it is not smuggled, but the feathers are plucked instead of allowing them to be molted naturally. We understand that this is very disturbing information to be disseminating, but we can all help keep parrots free in their native homes and prevent this from happening by saving ALL our parrot feathers. Please see the Feather Distribution Project's website at http://www.wingwise.com/feather.htm for more information.

Native American Indians use feathers for their traditional religious ceremonies and that contributes to the demand for parrot feathers which is one reason parrots are so cruelly smuggled. Feathers from all species are useful but Macaw feathers are especially desired by the American Indians. Dr. Reyman said that since this project has been giving feathers to the Native American Indians (free of charge) that the price for a center macaw feather has gone down from $75 to about $25. But the demand for these feathers is still there. They can even take feathers with broken shafts and cut feathers as shown on his website and all feathers over an inch in size can be put to good use. So please save them all, even cut wing feather feathers! They can also use turkey feathers, for those of you out there that know turkey hunters.

If you know of anyone that has a parrot, please spread the word. Feathers can be mailed to:

Dr. Jonathan E. Reyman
Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center
1011 East Ash Street
Springfield, IL 62703-3535
(217) 785-0069
reyman@MUSEUM.STATE.IL.US

Many people toss away their feathers because they don't know what to do with them. By doing this, we can help to keep the wild parrots in their native lands where they belong. (from http://www.wingsofhope-nj.com/feathers.html)

http://www.wingwise.com/feather.htm

[Lisa B]

I'll get some together tonight and get them out with my christmas cards tomorrow. Thanks for the info!

[Doubleyolk]

Great cause, now I know where I can get the best use of 150+ feathers I have.

[Sophiestkated2]

Wow, that is cool. I'll ship some this week!

Jeth

[felisdomesticus]

thanks to everyone who plans to send them some feathers!

[Regina U.]

Jill,
Thanks for the information. I will start saving them and send them to the Project. Great way to get involved and help.

[Maui's Mom]

Thanks for the address. I had heard about this and didnt know where to send them.
Do they take small feathers also ? feathers that have been clipped ? we have tons at the end of the night.

[felisdomesticus]

Originally Posted by Maui's Mom

Thanks for the address. I had heard about this and didnt know where to send them.
Do they take small feathers also ? feathers that have been clipped ? we have tons at the end of the night.

the information that I posted says that

They can even take feathers with broken shafts and cut feathers as shown on his website and all feathers over an inch in size can be put to good use.

[Maui's Mom]

sorry, i was reading thru the article, i must have skipped an entire part because now i see the turkey feathers are included too . thanks for being my eyes, i had better go wash my lens.

[Kristi]

Very cool!

I just clipped Shiloh's wings a couple of weeks ago and I saved her feathers. I'll send 'em off tomorrow.

Thanks for that, Jill.