You’re actually not allowed to keep bird feathers you find on hikes—and it’s all thanks to two women who got really mad about hats
Popular Science Team
created: Oct. 23, 2025, 4:45 p.m. | updated: Nov. 2, 2025, 5:44 p.m.
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FACT: You’re not allowed to keep bird feathers you find on hikes, and it’s all thanks to two women who got really mad about hatsBy Liz Clayton FullerIn 1886, ornithologist Frank Chapman went birdwatching in an uptown New York shopping district—but he wasn’t looking to spot living birds.
Egret feathers were especially prized at $32 per ounce (twice the price of gold) because they only grow during nesting season.
The ants bring everything you need: the right bacteria, the perfect pH conditions, and built-in temperature control from their colony.
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