It is strictly regulated.
Collecting feathers in Turkey requires adherence to national biodiversity laws, as wild bird feathers are protected under the 2024 amendments to the Law on the Protection of Wildlife and Hunting (Law No. 3167). The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı) enforces these rules, which align with Turkey’s obligations under the Bern Convention. Commercial collection is prohibited without permits, while non-commercial, small-scale collection for personal use may be tolerated if not sourced from endangered species. Violations risk fines up to ₺50,000 or imprisonment under Article 20 of the same law.
Key Regulations for Collecting Feathers in Turkey
- Protected Species Ban: Feathers from all wild bird species listed in the Regulation on the Protection of Wild Birds (2023) are strictly off-limits without a special permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
- Permit Requirements: A Collecting Permit for Scientific or Educational Purposes is mandatory for any non-personal use, issued under Decree No. 2026/12, which scrutinizes applicant credentials and intended conservation impact.
- Endangered Species Prohibition: Feathers from species classified as Critically Endangered or Endangered under the Red Data Book of Turkish Vertebrates (2025 update) are entirely prohibited, with penalties enforced via the Turkish Penal Code (Article 181).
Local authorities in provinces like Antalya and Izmir have intensified inspections near coastal wetlands, where migratory birds nest, following 2025 reports of illegal feather trade linked to the black market. Domestic and international travelers are advised to verify feather origin before transport, as customs seizures under the Customs Law (No. 4458) have surged in 2026.