Fact Sheet

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT A FEDERAL MIGRATORY
BIRD SPECIAL PURPOSE POSSESSION – EDUCATION PERMIT
FOR LIVE BIRDS
A Federal Migratory Bird Special Purpose Possession - Education (Live) permit will authorize you to possess live
migratory birds for educational purposes. You should review Title 50 parts 10, 13 and 21.27 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) with your application. You are responsible for reviewing and understanding these
regulations before you request and accept a permit. These regulations can be found on our website at:
http://www.fws.gov/permits/ltr/ltr.shtml.
1. What experience must I have to qualify for a Migratory Bird Special Purpose Possession – Education permit
for live birds?
You must be at least 18 years of age and have a minimum of 240 hours of experience working with
migratory bird education and husbandry, gained over the course of at least 1 year. Your experience must include:
handling, caring for (including medical management), training, and exhibiting the species, or similar species, you
intend to acquire and use in educational programs. In addition, if you intend to glove-train migratory birds for
educational programs, your experience should include at least 20 programs using glove-trained migratory birds over
the course of at least 1 year.
2. What are the caging requirements for live birds?
All migratory birds authorized by a Federal Special Purpose Possession – Education (Live) permit must be
maintained under humane and healthful conditions as required in 50 CFR 13.41. Facilities must be adequate for each
species you plan to possess. In evaluating whether caging dimensions are adequate for raptors, the Service will use as a
guideline the standards established by the Raptor Center, University of Minnesota’s “Raptors in Captivity: Guidelines
for Care and Management”. In evaluating whether caging dimensions are adequate for other migratory bird species, the
Service will use as a guideline the standards established by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association’s “Wildlife
in Education: A Guide for the Care and Use of Program Animals”. These publications are available from the National
Wildlife Rehabilitators Association at http://www.nwrawildlife.org/pubs.asp.
Applicants should also contact their State wildlife agency for information about any additional caging
requirements for migratory birds.
3. Is the Migratory Bird Special Purpose Possession Permit to be used for a specific type of education?
Yes. The intent of this permit is wildlife conservation education. Conservation, biology, and/or ecology
must be a primary component of all educational programs conducted using migratory birds. Other topics (such as
history or falconry) may also be included in the program.
4. Can I use migratory birds for commercial purposes?
No. Migratory birds possessed or transported for educational purposes may not be displayed in any manner
that implies personal use. You may not use migratory birds to promote or endorse any product, merchandise, goods,
services, business or organization except your own educational activities. Educational programs are not considered
commercial activities.
5. How many programs must I present each year?
A minimum of 12 programs that are open to the public using each bird should be presented each year. The
authority to possess migratory birds will be subject to re-evaluation if this requirement is not met.
6. Is the public allowed to handle or touch live birds?
All live birds must be kept under control at all times and may not come in contact with members of an
audience.

7. How can I acquire migratory birds under a Special Purpose Possession – Education (Live) permit?
Migratory birds under a Special Purpose Possession – Education (Live) permit must be non-releasable and
may be lawfully acquired from Rehabilitation, Falconry, Raptor Propagation, or other Federal Special Purpose
Possession permittees. To acquire additional birds after the Special Purpose Possession – Education (Live) permit
has been issued, you must submit a request form, Special Purpose Possession (Education) Permit Acquisition and
Transfer Request/3-202-12 (http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-202-12.pdf), to your Regional Migratory Bird Permit
Office for approval prior to acquiring any live migratory bird. Permittees should also contact their state wildlife
agency for information about obtaining additional permits if required.
8. Will anyone inspect my records or migratory birds held for educational purposes?
By accepting a Federal Special Purpose Possession permit, you authorize an agent of the Service to enter
your premises at any reasonable hour to inspect the wildlife in your care, your books or records. (See 50 CFR
13.47)
9. What procedures are required to transfer the migratory birds authorized by a Special Purpose Possession –
Education (Live) permit to a new location?
Any change in address or other circumstances that affect your permit (e.g. change in principal officer,
caretaker or physical location as listed on the permit) must be reported to your Regional Migratory Bird Office in
writing within 10 days so your permit can be amended. In addition, if your physical address will change, you must
obtain prior approval for your facilities for housing migratory birds at the new location by providing pictures and
diagrams, including the L x W x H dimensions and a description of materials used for construction. (50 CFR 13.23)
10. Do I need a State permit to possess migratory birds?
Your Federal permit is not valid unless you also are in compliance with State requirements. This means
that if your State requires a permit to possess migratory birds for educational or exhibit purposes, you must hold a
valid State permit in order for your Federal permit to be valid. It is your responsibility to make sure you comply
with State permit requirements.
11. Will I be required to keep records of my activities?
Yes. You must maintain accurate records of operations on a calendar-year basis. Your records should
reflect each bird that is held, the number of presentations given with each bird and the disposition of each bird.
12. Will anyone inspect my records or birds held for educational purposes?
By accepting a Federal Special Purpose Possession permit, you authorize an agent of the Service to enter
your premises at any reasonable hour to inspect the migratory birds in your care, your books or records. (50 CFR
13.47)
13. Will I be required to submit an annual report of activities?
Yes. You will receive an annual report form for your Federal Special Purpose Possession – Education
(Live) permit from your Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. Reports can also be found on our website at:
http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-202-5.pdf. This report must be completed and submitted to your issuing office by
January 31 of each year.
14. How do I renew my permit?
A renewal letter or form and annual report form will be sent to you at least 60 days prior to the expiration
of your permit. If you want to renew your permit, you must return the completed renewal to your Regional
Migratory Bird Permit Office at least 30 days prior to the expiration of your permit and include a copy of your
current State permit, if one is required. If we receive your renewal request at least 30 days prior to the expiration of
your permit, your permit will remain valid beyond the expiration date for the activity authorized on your expired
permit until a decision on your renewal is made. If you allow your permit to expire before requesting renewal, you
may be required to submit a new application. (See 50 CFR 13.22 and 13.11(c))
(3-200-10c) 2/20/14