Feather Banking
Feathers used in imping come from deceased birds. In New South Wales it is illegal to keep the feathers of wild birds without the appropriate permission from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and illegal to carry or send feathers across state borders without the appropriate permits.
Feathers banks are collections of feathers held by licenced wildlife organisations for the purpose of imping in order to return flight ability to birds within their care, enabling these birds to regain fitness and be released promptly, without the need to spend long periods of time under human care, waiting for the natural moult cycle.
Damaged flight feathers should NEVER be pulled out. This can damage the feather follicle, preventing normal feather regrowth, and is also extremely painful as the follicle is associated with the periosteum of the underlying bone.
ARCC Inc intends to establish a public list of feather availability so that licensed wildlife groups and veterinarians can search and obtain appropriate feathers for particular patients when needed more easily.
If you are a licenced wildlife organisation or veterinary professional managing a feather collection, please get in contact with ARCC Inc to discuss further.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Australian Raptor Care and Conservation Inc acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We recognise and appreciate the traditional significance and cultural roles birds of prey play in the lives of our First Nations people.