Permits & permitting

Permit Guides

The Ornithological Council is pleased to provide ornithologists with a series of comprehensive guides to the many permits needed for ornithological research. Some of the permit systems - particularly the import systems for live birds and specimens - are complex and  time-consuming process. Others are relatively simple. In both cases, our intent is to provide step-by-step guides for the ornithologist. Busy ornithologists have not had ready access to clear and consistent information. Attempting to navigate the complexities of permitting is time-consuming and sometimes frustrating.

The first two guides address importing live birds and specimens into the USA. The next to be available will be guides to state permitting systems and permits for working on federal lands (such as National Wildlife Refuges, National Parks, BLM property, and National Forests). We will also prepare guides for Migratory Bird Treaty Act permits (including banding permits), export of live birds and specimens, and endangered species permits.

Once we have completed the information for the United States, we will post information for research permits in Canada and Mexico. Eventually, we hope to provide information about permits needed to work in countries throughout the Western Hemisphere.

• Permit Guide for Importing Live Birds into USA (pdf)

• Permit Guide for Importing Scientific Specimens into USA (pdf)

Permit news

• Pending changes in policies regarding permits for research on National Wildlife Refuges (with OC comments to FWS)
• Proposed changes to fee structure for US FWS permits (with OC comments to FWS)
• Proposed changes to US Forest Service permit policies and fees (with OC comments to USFS)
• Proposed changes to US National Park Service permit policies and fees (with OC comments to NPS
• FWS releases "vision document" for permits program

Permit resources

• U.S. Fish & Wildife Service Permits page

• PERMIT-L electronic bulletin board