Seeking an Eagles feather specs

[squbrigg]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for some information on a mature Bald Eagle's feather, primary I think they are called? (the big long black and white one) A drawing, photograph, sketch or what ever, would be useful. I know the feathers are "protected" as they should be, and have considerable significance for our First Nations Peoples, so I had hoped to carve myself one to go with my cane, rather than a real feather.

Lots of Eagles around here, but I'm not as young as I use to be, so can't go climbing over rocks and trees looking for, lost, lone feathers, and not brave enough to face a Momma Eagle around a nest!!!

Who's our feather expert here.....can anyone help me out?

Bob

[Donna_T]

Hey Bob,
Around here, we carve an eagle feather an the eagle head on the end. It's about 10 inches long but it could certainly be reduced. We usually carve them out of 3/8" basswood. Once it's carved, woodburned, and painted, we wrap the quill end of the feather in leather. My youngest daughter works for a native American tribe, and I've made several of them for her and her friends at the tribal office. I may even have one cut out already. WOuld you like to have one-or the pattern for it. Sorry I don't have a photo--but it's a popular carving around the midwest.

Donna T

[Nancy-ID]

Here's a photo Bob. Hope it helps.

[squbrigg]

I'd love to have one. Just for personal use, not going into feather carving business. Smile Pattern or cut out one, what ever is easiest for you. Measurements/ratio of white to dark would be helpful. (where white starts / stops, dark too, etc)

My e-mail and snail mail addresses are at the end of the magazine article. I'll reinburse you for postage of course.

Thanks Donna, I appreciate that.

Bob

[squbrigg]

Thanks Nancy, good pics, any idea of the length and width?

Bob

[whitecree]

I don't have any photo's handy in postable condition, but I just measured a primary feather I have on hand, and it is 15 inches long from tip of the quill to the feathery end.

I have eagles all over the place. Once the weather eases up a bit, I'll be walking the shorline and I usually find a feather or three at some point. Next one I find, I'll pack it and fire it off your way.

Need reference photos of a claw? I have a dried eagle claw handy, toes nicely spread.

[squbrigg]

Whitecree....I would be in your debt forever, for the feather. And yes, I'd love a picture of the claw, that would make a nice touch carved into the bottom of my next cane.

Thank you so much, that is very kind of you.

Bob

[whitecree]

Consider it done. Or at least, as soon as I find those pix or take some more.

My apologies, I lied about the length of that primary feather I have on hand. More like 17.5 long, not 15. At the widest, it is 3-1/16, 1" of that on the narrow side of the quill.

[Kenny_S]

I don't know where all are from but in the states, only Native American can have real Eagle feathers and only for ceremonial
purposes. May need to check about that. Wouldn't want someone innocent get wraped up in the Government red tape here in the states.
Federal law!

[Donna_T]

Whitecree,
This might make a good learning experience for those of us south of the border. In the US, the eagle is our national bird and it's endangered and protected. We can't even have an eagle feather--and some other feathers--in our possession (unless we have a permit--or we're a Native American with a proven providence ...and some other details.)

So tell us, are there similar laws in Canada? Are some animals and birds protected up there like here? Do you have "hunting seasons" there when certain animals or birds can be hunted and killed?

Bob, I found a feather that's cut out and I'll send it and the pattern as soon as I can get to the postoffice. I'll see if my daughter can take a photo of the finished one that she has so I can get it sent to you, too.

Donna T