information about essay bird

How to Write an Essay on Birds: 9 Interesting Areas to Focus

How to write an essay on birds? There are some interesting facts you can write about. Information about birds can be an excellent source for a creative essay. Birds are found in every part of the globe, creating a large variety of species to write about, especially when well-researched. Interesting bird facts can create wonderful topics for an essay, including unique theses that a student can explore and develop an enjoyable piece of writing.

When writing an essay about birds, it’s important to consider researching these facts, especially their biological composition. For instance, one can write an essay about birds by highlighting some distinguishing characteristics between bird species. This type of writing would be most interesting in English, particularly due to the distinctive nature of scientific descriptions. You can also include a short note about their biological differences in each section to make the essay more appealing.

Interesting Facts for Writing an Essay on Birds

Feather distinction.

One of the most interesting topics for an essay on birds is their feather diversity. Birds have distinctive appearances in structure, order, and color. Feather distinction is one of the distinguishing characteristics between species. However, some species have different colors based on various biological and environmental factors. For instance, some bird species have distinctive differences between the feathers of a male and a female. In other cases, the differences may appear disorderly but are worth investigating.

Migration marvels and global distribution

Some bird species are migratory, traveling between regions, even continents. Since the migrations coincide with seasons, they create some migration marvels worth writing about. For instance, seagulls migrate between winter and summer, running from the cold weather. During their travels, the birds create awesome displays of their traveling routines, mating habits, and hunting traditions. This topic is most suitable for nature lovers, people willing to investigate many species for their beauty and scientific facts.

Nesting prowess

You can also write an essay on birds based on their architectural techniques. Birds build their nests differently depending on their size, primary predators, and location. While the weaverbird prefers loosely hanging tree branches, the penguin can only nest on the ground near mountains and ocean shores. The structure and composition of the nest also differ significantly, creating an array of architectural designs to compare. Any person interested in birds understands the importance of a nest, especially during mating and incubation.

Egg laying facts

Birds are oviparous or egg-laying animals in English. Different species lay different egg sizes, colors, and shapes. They have distinctive characteristics based on their egg-laying habits, including location and responsibility. Some birds, such as the Cuckoo , exhibit parasitic behaviors in brooding. They lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, forcing the foster parents to incubate a foreign egg and feed an adopted chick afterward. Egg-laying habits can be quite an impressive topic for an essay on birds, especially due to the amount of scientific evidence available online.

Sociocultural rituals

Another interesting concept you can write about birds is their social lives. Like humans and any other living thing, birds socialize on different occasions. Some live in large groups, while others are loaners. However, all birds have distinctive mating rituals. Some specials engage in colorful, elaborate courtship traditions. They display marvelous moves to attract mates, using their wings and, in some cases, their avian architectural prowess to assert dominance. Birds engage in long relationships that resemble marriage in humans. The bald eagle is a good example of a bird species that marries or mates for life. The differences in sociocultural behaviors can create an amazing topic for a good essay.

Cognitive capacity

Some bird species are worth writing essays about, especially those that have shown high intelligence. Students can investigate intellectual abilities in birds to find impressive topics for their term papers and final research. You can even hire an experienced academic writer to help with the information gathering and drafting. For instance, CustomWritings professional essay writing service is a prominent helper with over ten years of experience supporting students’ journeys. While intelligent avian is attractive, finding accurate and reliable supporting evidence on such a topic can be daunting. With professional assistance, you can access scholarly articles and integrate findings from research in your essay on birds.

Vocal abilities

Birds are also known for their vocalization capabilities. While students cannot transcribe bird songs into writing, investigations into singing abilities can constitute a good essay. Most importantly, one can research birds’ ability to vocalize or mimic different sounds. Some bird species are known for their vocalization, especially when imitating humans and other birds. Others can produce relatively unique sounds, making them an attractive piece of marvel for analysis.

Scholars and researchers tend to focus on the biological differences between birds. Notably, biologists have invested significantly in understanding the genetic differences for classification and knowledge gathering. With this information, students can develop exciting topics for their essays or end-term research papers. Another interesting point of focus is the survival instincts and abilities of birds. While some species rely on camouflage for safety, others are birds of prey. The details about each bird’s genetics can help explain distribution and preferences.

Life expectancy

Similarly, the biological differences explain the differences in life expectancy. It’s difficult to ascertain the length of life in wild birds due to constant migration. However, scientific evidence suggests that some birds live longer than others. A good essay writer would consider analyzing the reasoning behind these differences and identify genetic and environmental characteristics affecting the length of life.

How Do I Write an Essay on Birds?

The best approach for writing an essay on birds involves conducting sufficient research. A good student would start by identifying an interesting fact to write about birds and research it. The information gathered from the knowledge search can then be used to create a comprehensive essay topic with a compelling thesis. The interesting facts about birds can also be a good hook for the introduction. The essay on birds should be organized professionally, adopting a basic paper structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Writing an essay on birds should also incorporate scientific and scholarly evidence. A good writer understands the need to integrate external sources with supporting and counterarguments. This approach will make your essay more interesting to read and easy to grade. Your professor may be impressed by your capacity to research a wild topic and investigate evidence found in scholarly works. Besides, supporting your arguments with reliable and verifiable arguments makes your writing believable. You can also impress the reader with ideas corroborating your knowledge of birds. For instance, you can integrate information about mating in an essay about birds’ vocal abilities to demonstrate a connection between the two issues. In the end, your essay about birds should be compelling and informative.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• School Education /

Essay on Birds in 600 Words for School Students in English

• Updated on  
• Jan 15, 2024

Essay on birds: Did you know that the fastest bird, the Peregrine Falcon, can fly at a speed of 300km per hour? Birds are an important part of our environment and help with the ecological balance.

We all love the chirping sound of birds. But do you know that listening to the chirping birds can help you reduce your stress? Yes, it is about wondering how the language of any creature can help humans in their tough times.

Another, most interesting fact about birds is that they are found everywhere in the atmosphere. From the coldest region on Earth to the warmest place on Earth, you can find birds everywhere, and this way they bring you closer to the natural world.

Table of Contents

• 1 Types of Birds 
• 2 Why Birds are Important for the Environment 
• 3 Why are Birds Endangered?

Also Read: English Essay Topics

Also Read: How to Write an Essay in English

Also Read: Speech on Republic Day for Class 12th

Types of Birds 

It is assumed that in total there are 11,000 species of birds and among those species, there are 50 billion birds that live on the Earth. In the huge population of birds, we can classify the population based on their habitat, the type of food they eat, how they appear, their vocalization and as well as the fact of fun, which generally belongs to the family of corvid, the strongly built and stout billed birds around 9 to 28 inches long. 

Why not share some details about the type of birds in short? 

The habitat birds or bird habitat are the type of birds that are restricted to a specific area. These areas meet all the requirements of the essentials needed by the type of habitat birds. 

It is surprising that birds too have their unique tastes related to the type of food they eat. 

We can classify such categories into sub-categories such as Carnivorous which feed on meat, Avivorous are the birds that eat other birds, Insectivorous are the birds that feed on insects, Granivors main food includes grain and seeds, Mucivorous feed on the mucus of plants and trees, Nectivorous are the birds which are feed on the nectar of flower, and last but not the least Palynivorous are the birds which only eats pollen of flowers. 

Why Birds are Important for the Environment 

Where on the one hand birds provide peace to the human brain so on the other hand they also help the ecosystem. It helps in pollination, and fertilization and helps in bringing a new flower into the world. As scavengers birds, they also help bring back nutrients into the ground and help the ecosystem keep clean by consuming the dead organisms. 

It will be a surprising fact for you that even the poop of birds can fertilize the land for your crop. All the services of birds that help the planet keep growing are called ecosystem services. 

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC in 6 Months?

Why are Birds Endangered?

After learning about the list of benefits of the birds for the environment, it becomes more important to know why the birds are at risk or endangered.

One of the major reasons for the extinction of birds is the expansion of the human population and its settlement. Cutting down trees, clearing the forest for timber or urbanization makes further mating and availability of food difficult. Also, the spreading of pollution, and the use of pesticides which when consumed by the birds not only make them unhealthy but also become one of the major reasons for their death. 

¨I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.¨ 

D. H. Lawrence

In conclusion, birds are just not the mode of entertainment or bringing peace to our minds. They are the best gift from the almighty to our Earth and desire to live in the same way as any other creature exists. Dreaming to live like a bird is easy but to endanger a bird without our profit is a bit hard, but as humans, we can do this and return them what they give us. 

Also Read: Birds of a Feather Flock Together Meaning and Example

Ans: Birds help in the process of pollination, their poop can fertilize the soil, they help in controlling pests, and helps in the dispersal of seeds. 

Ans: A bird is a warm-blooded animal, featured with feathers that are modified from forelimbs.

Ans: The five characteristics of birds are: Birds have feathers; not all birds can fly; the beak of birds is made up of a bony core which is surrounded by a layer of keratin that is thin; all birds lay eggs with a hard shell mostly made up of calcium; and birds help in reducing stress.  

Ans: Yes, birds are adoring and attractive pets. 

Related Articles

For more information on such informative articles for your school, visit our  essay writing  page and follow  Leverage Edu .

Deepika Joshi

Deepika Joshi is an experienced content writer with educational and informative content expertise. She has hands-on experience in Education, Study Abroad and EdTech SaaS. Her strengths lie in conducting thorough research and analysis to provide accurate and up-to-date information to readers. She enjoys staying updated on new skills and knowledge, particularly in the education domain. In her free time, she loves to read articles, and blogs related to her field to expand her expertise further. In her personal life, she loves creative writing and aspires to connect with innovative people who have fresh ideas to offer.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

Friday essay: on birds — feathered messengers from deep time

Senior Lecturer, Creative Writing, UTS, University of Technology Sydney

Disclosure statement

Delia Falconer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Technology Sydney provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

View all partners

When I experienced a great loss in in my early forties — almost a year to the day after another — I went to see my mother in the family home. She wasn’t a hugger or giver of advice, so instead we fed the birds. As she had when I was a child, she stood behind me in the kitchen with her shoulder propped against the back door, passing slices of apple and small balls of minced meat into my hand.

Each bird, apart from the snatching kookaburras, was touchingly gentle in the way it took food from my fingers. The white cockatoos ate daintily, one-legged. The lorikeets jumped onto the sloping ramp on both feet, like eager parachutists, to quarrel over the apple and press the juice from the pulp with stubby tongues.

Lined up on the veranda rail, the magpies cocked their heads to observe me before accepting meat precisely in their blue-white beaks. They had a beautiful, carolling song, with a chorded quality in the falling registers. But the bright-eyed butcher birds had the most lovely song of all: a full-throated piping, which I’ve heard compared to the Queen of the Night’s aria in Mozart’s Magic Flute.

Over decades, a family of these little blue-grey birds, had come to stack their hooked meat-eaters’ beaks with mince, which they flew to deliver to young somewhere in our neighbour’s garden, though we had never bothered to try to work out where they lived. This afternoon, when my mother and I opened the door, they landed by our side as they always had, having spotted us from their watching places. For a brief moment, surrounded by these vital creatures, I felt as if I might still want to be alive.

Small agents

Birds have always been small agents charged with carrying the burden of our feelings simply by following the logic of their own existence. The Irish imagined puffins as the souls of priests. The ancient Romans released an eagle when an emperor died in the belief it would “conduct his soul aloft”. In the Abrahamic religions, doves are given powers of revelation. We have even been inclined, right up until the present, to imagine birds as the souls of our recently departed returned to us, if only for a moment.

Even without being recruited into such labour, birds touch on our lives in small but significant ways. Once, in the botanical gardens of Melbourne, a boyfriend laughed until he almost cried at the mechanical, eager hopping of the tiny fairy wrens, a fact that only made me like him more. A friend tells the story of her uncle who ordered quail for the first time at a restaurant and cried when he saw it on his plate. “She had a raven’s heart, small and obdurate,” American author Don DeLillo writes of a nun in Underworld ; it is my favourite description in any novel.

In Japan, where my partner and I tried to ease our sadness, the calls of crows were ubiquitous in every town. Like the low sounds of its deer, they had a subdued, almost exhausted quality, as hollow as the bells that are rattled to call the oldest spirits to its Shinto temples.

In 1975, when his first wife left him, Masahise Fukase began to photograph these birds, which he had seen from the window of a train. He would keep taking their pictures – on a hilltop tori at dusk, grouped on the budding branches of a bare tree, in flying silhouette – for ten years. Ravens would become one of the most famous books of modern photography , hailed as a “masterpiece of mourning”. While some people see the birds in his photos as symbols of loneliness I see them as embodiments of pure intention. “I work and photograph to stop everything,” Fukase said. As if fulfilling a prophecy, he would spend the last two decades of his life in a coma, after falling down the stairs at his favourite bar.

Yet for all our emotional investment in them, we’ve never treated birds particularly well. To train a falcon in Qatar, owners sew the young bird’s eyes shut, unstitching and then restitching them for longer intervals, until it is entirely dependent on its keeper. In Asia the appetite for caged songbirds is so great that their calls are disappearing from its forests. Our careless acceptance that these extraordinary creatures are subject to our will is perhaps as damning as any direct mistreatment of them. This is symbolised for me by that fact that, in North America, owners of long pipelines add a putrid odorant to the natural gas they carry so that turkey vultures, circling over the deathly smell, will alert them to methane leaks.

We are currently draining marshes globally three times faster than we are clearing forests. Migratory Red Knots fly 15,000 kilometres per year between Australia and their breeding grounds in the Arctic Tundra, but they’re declining because of the industrial development of the Yellow Sea’s tidal mudflats, where they stop to feed and rest. One of the details that most haunted me in the reports of Australia’s mega-fires was the fact that many birds that survived the radiant heat would die of smoke inhalation because the continuous one-way airflow of their breathing systems and air sacs meant they couldn’t cough to clear their lungs.

When we first moved into my childhood home, wattlebirds fed in the grevilleas, calling from the rockery with voices that sounded, as a poet once said to me, like the cork being pulled from a bottle of champagne. While their long forms ending in a slim, curved beak seemed the embodiment of alertness, they were the birds our cat caught most often. To see one, rescued but internally injured, vomit up its honey and grow limp was one of my first intimations as a child of the world’s evils. Unable to bear the thought of their sleek, streaky bodies in the bare earth, my mother would bury them wrapped in tea towels. But it was the 70s and no one thought to keep the cat inside.

As my mother entered her nineties, her life contracted around her birds. Although experts were now advising that the lack of calcium could soften chicks’ bones, I continued, against my conscience, to put through her weekly grocery order, which contained as much bird mince as food for herself. She had stopped feeding the cockatoos, which had chewed her windowsills and the struts of the back door, but when they heard us in the kitchen they would still plaster their chests like great white flowers against the window or poke their heads through the large holes they’d made over the years in the door’s wire fly screen.

But it was only the butcher birds that ever entered through these gaps to wait for her by the sink, feathers fluffed calmly. Once or twice, one would come and find her in the dining room and quietly walk back ahead of her to be fed. When I came with the children, she would press food into their hands as she stood behind them at the door, leaning against the kitchen counter for support. So she continued to be one of the estimated 30 to 60% of Australian households that fed wild birds, a statistic that suggests that we need them far more than they need us.

Scientists began to think in the 19th century that birds might have evolved from dinosaurs, when the 150-million- year-old fossil skeleton of Archaeopteryx — which we now know was capable of short bursts of active flight — turned up in a German quarry.

The Victorian biologist Thomas Henry Huxley observed the bony-tailed, feathered fossil’s striking resemblance to small dinosaurs like Compsognathus and proposed that it was a transitional form between flightless reptiles and birds. Huxley’s theory fell out of favour until the last decades of the 20th century, when a new generation of palaeontologists returned to the similarities between the metabolisms and bird-like structures of dinosaur fossils and birds, and there is now a consensus that birds are avian dinosaurs. That the birds with which we share our lives are the descendants of the hollow-tailed, meat-eating theropods is a true wonder that never fails to thrill me.

Birds, like us, are survivors. They escaped the Cretaceous-Paleogene (or K-Pg) mass extinction event 65 million years ago: the fifth and last great dying in the history of our planet, until the Sixth Extinction taking place around us now.

Scientists were able to work out, from unusually high deposits of rare iridium (which mostly comes from outer space) in the Earth’s crust that a ten-kilometre-wide asteroid hitting the area that is now Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula had killed off three quarters of the world’s living creatures by causing forest fires and then a freezing “nuclear winter,” which inhibited photosynthesis and rapidly acidified the oceans. Its blast was thousands of times more powerful than the combined force of all the nuclear weapons in the world today. The dust and debris it dispersed into the atmosphere eventually settled into a thin grey band of iridium-rich clay, which came to be called the K-Pg boundary and, above it, no trace of a non-avian dinosaur can be found.

In historical ironies whose obviousness would shame a novelist, it was geophysicists looking for petroleum in the 1970s who would discover the existence of the Chicxulub crater. Walter Alvarez, who discovered the “iridium anomaly”, was the son of physicist Luis Alvarez, a designer of America’s nuclear bombs, with whom he posited the asteroid strike theory; Alvarez senior had followed in a plane behind the Enola Gay to measure the blast effect as it dropped “Little Boy” on Hiroshima.

The ground-dwelling, beaked avian dinosaurs were able to scratch out a life for themselves in the ferny “disaster flora” that replaced the obliterated forests; their intelligence, their feathery insulation, their ability to feed on the destroyed forests’ seeds, and to digest the “hard, persistent little morsels” as one writer puts it, would help them to survive, and later flourish.

More incredibly, these dinosaurs were already recognisably bird-like, inside and out; capable of at least short horizontal flight like quails, the parts of their brains that controlled sight, flight and high-level memory as expanded as those of modern birds’, while our early mammal ancestors — small, nocturnal, insectivorous, shrew-like mammals — were hiding in clefts and caves.

It is now thought that the world’s oldest modern bird, Asteriornis maastrichtensis , could probably fly and was combing the shallow beaches of today’s Belgium, in the way of modern long-legged shore birds, 700,000 years before the K-Pg mass extinction.

Because of a wealth of new fossil evidence in China, we now also know that feathers are far more ancient than we once thought; they didn’t evolve with birds 150 million years ago but are instead probably as old as dinosaurs themselves. In fact, many of the dinosaurs that we have been trained to think of as scaly, were at least partially feathered, including the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex , which may have used its primitive feathers, like a peacock, for display.

Powerful electron microscopes have allowed scientists to determine that the long filaments covering 150-million-year-old Sinosauropteryx , the first feathered non-avian dinosaur discovered, in China, in 1996, were “proto-feathers”; and even, looking at the melanosomes inside them, that they were ginger, running in a “Mohican” pattern down its back and ending in a stripey white-and-ginger tail. Similar examination of the melanosomes of another Jurassic-era theropod found that it had a grey-and-dark plumage on its body, long white and black-spangled forelimbs, and a reddish-brown, fluffy crown.

Scientists are puzzled about what dinosaurs’ feathers, which developed before the capacity of feathered flight, were “for”, but I don’t really care: the fact of them is startling enough, along with the imaginative readjustments we have to make in seeing the fearsome creatures of paleoart that we grew up with, locked in orgasmic conflict, as softly plumaged. Did their young call for them with the same open-mouthed yearning as baby birds, I wonder? Did they possess their own sense of beauty? If we imagine dinosaurs as being less alien and fluffier, does it make our own era’s potential annihilation seem more real?

Read more: Meet the prehistoric eagle that ruled Australian forests 25 million years ago

Over the last century folkorists and psychoanalysts have kept trying to account for birds’ deep hold over our imaginations; as agents of death, prophets, ferriers of souls, omens, and symbols of renewal and productivity. Some attribute it to the power of flight and their ability to inhabit the heavens, others to the way eggs embody transformation. But could it be that the vestigial shrew-like part of ourselves has always recognised them instinctively as the emissaries of a deep past, much older than we are? “We float on a bubble of space-time,” writes author Verlyn Klinkenberg , “on the surface of an ocean of deep time”.

Recently, this deep past has begun to reassert itself as, even during coronavirus lockdowns, burned fossil fuels continue to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, bringing its concentration in the air to levels not seen since the Pliocene three million years ago when the seas were 30 metres higher. To try to help us understand the literal profundity of this moment in the history of the earth, writers have been looking increasingly below its surface, far beyond the human realm, to its deepest, billions-of-years-old strata.

In his astonishing Underland , English writer Robert Macfarlane travels physically far underground into caves, mines, and nuclear waste bunkers, to revive our ancient sense of awe as forces and substances once thought safely confined there begin to exert themselves above ground, but also to convey the enormity of the long shadow we will cast into the future of a planet that has already seen periods of great transformation.

In Timefulness , geologist Marcia Bjornerud argues that understanding the Earth through her discipline’s vastly expanded time-scales can help us avoid the almost unthinkably grave consequences of our actions. We live in an era of time denial, she writes, while navigating towards the future with conceptions of the long patterns of planetary history as primitive as a 14th-century world map. And yet, she writes, “as a daughter, mother, and widow, I struggle like everyone else to look Time honestly in the face.”

Yet here, I think, all around us on the surface of the planet, are our vivacious and inscrutable companions, feathered messengers from deep time, who still tell their own story of complex change.

What lives and dies

At a writer’s festival in northern New South Wales, I remember, a magpie lark landed between the chair and speaker on stage to let forth a cascade of liquid notes, “as if, to say,” a droll friend sitting next to me said, “I too have something to contribute!” while I found myself wondering, yet again, how something with such a small heart could be so alive.

To think about dinosaurs, as evolutionary biologist Steven Brusatte writes , is to confront the question of what lives and what dies. To think that dinosaurs were far more complex than we imagined, Klinkenberg muses, interrupts the chain of consequence we’ve been carrying in our heads, which assumes that deep time’s purpose was to lead to us as the end point of evolution. The history of feathers and wings, in which the power of flight appears to have been discovered and lost at least three times, shows that evolution is not a tree, but a clumped bush. And yet, Klinkenberg writes, “Because we come after, it’s easy to suppose we must be the purpose of what came before.”

The same could be said of mothers. When the time came to choose the photographs for my mother’s funeral, the images of her as a child in Mexico and Canada seemed as unreal as dispatches from the moon. The photographs of our mothers as young girls are so affecting a friend wrote to me, because they show them living lives that were whole without us. Now my own children turn their heads away from pictures of me as a girl, because, they say, “You don’t look like you.” And yet, if our minds struggle to encompass the deep time of our mothers, I think, how can they hope to stretch across aeons?

On my last visit to my mother, I left her on her front step throwing meat to the two magpies which had learned to come around from the backyard, away from the other birds, and would follow her on stilted legs around the garden. When she pressed her emergency pendant the next morning, I missed her call; it was my partner, hearing her faint answers, who called the ambulance. Unconscious in the hospital, she died having never known that she had left her home. When I stopped back at the house afterwards, one of the butcher birds, which I had never seen around the front, was on the windowsill of her dark bedroom, break pressed against the glass, looking for her.

This is an extract from Signs and Wonders: Dispatches from a time of beauty and loss by Delia Falconer, published by Simon and Schuster.

• Friday essay

Head of Evidence to Action

Supply Chain - Assistant/Associate Professor (Tenure-Track)

Education Research Fellow

OzGrav Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Casual Facilitator: GERRIC Student Programs - Arts, Design and Architecture

Essay on Birds

Introduction

Picture waking up to the uplifting chorus of birdsong, which fills the air in every corner of the world. From the cheerful chirping of sparrows to the majestic calls of eagles, birds bring life and vitality to our surroundings. Their presence is not just an auditory delight but also a testament to our planet’s intricate web of life . Birds captivate our imagination and stir a sense of wonder in every flutter of wings and graceful glide through the sky. In this article, we delve into the captivating world of birds, exploring their evolution, ecological importance, behavior, and the challenges they face in an ever-changing world. Join us to discover the marvels of nature’s aerial wonders – the birds.

Evolution and Diversity of Feathered Fashionistas

With their remarkable ability to take flight, birds have captured humans’ imaginations for centuries. But how did these feathered creatures evolve, and what makes them so diverse? Let’s explore birds’ fascinating evolution and diversity through time and across continents.

• Origins of Birds: Birds originated in the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. Recent fossil discoveries, such as Archaeopteryx, provide crucial evidence of the transitional forms between dinosaurs and birds. Birds are descendants of theropod dinosaurs, with features such as feathers and hollow bones evolving gradually over millions of years.
• Adaptations for Flight: Flight is perhaps the most iconic feature of birds, enabling them to soar through the skies with grace and precision. Key adaptations for flight include lightweight bones, powerful flight muscles, and specialized respiratory systems. Feathers initially evolved for insulation and display and eventually became optimized for aerodynamic purposes, allowing birds to achieve powered flight.
• Diversity of Bird Species: With over 10,000 species worldwide, birds exhibit remarkable diversity in size, shape, color, behavior, and habitat preferences. Avian diversity ranges from the diminutive bee hummingbird, measuring just 5 centimeters in length, to the majestic wandering albatross, with a wingspan exceeding 3 meters. Birds occupy virtually every ecosystem on Earth, from tropical rainforests to polar regions, demonstrating their adaptability and resilience.
• Adaptive Radiation and Speciation: The term “adaptive radiation” describes a lineage’s quick diversification into different ecological niches, frequently in response to notable environmental changes. Birds have undergone multiple episodes of adaptive radiation, leading to the emergence of distinct groups such as songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and flightless species. Speciation, driven by factors such as geographic isolation and ecological specialization, has contributed to the vast array of bird species present today.

Types of Birds

Here’s a table outlining different types of birds based on their characteristics and ecological niches. But it’s important to note that the avian world is incredibly diverse, with many more species and classifications beyond those listed here.

Watch our Demo Courses and Videos

Valuation, Hadoop, Excel, Mobile Apps, Web Development & many more.

Ecological Roles of Birds

Birds play diverse and vital roles in ecosystems worldwide, contributing to the functioning and stability of natural environments in numerous ways. From seed dispersal to pest control, birds significantly influence plant and animal communities, ultimately shaping the dynamics of ecosystems. Let’s delve into the various ecological roles that birds fulfill:

• Seed Dispersal: Many plant species rely on birds to spread their seeds over long distances. Birds consume fruits and berries, ingesting seeds with the flesh and later depositing them in new locations through their droppings. This process enhances the genetic diversity of plant populations, promotes colonization of new habitats, and contributes to forest regeneration and succession. Examples of birds involved in seed dispersal include frugivorous species like thrushes, pigeons, and toucans.
• Pollination: Even though insects are frequently thought of as the main pollinators, some bird species are also quite important, especially in tropical areas. Birds with specialized beak shapes and feeding behaviors, such as hummingbirds and sunbirds, are adept pollinators of flowers with tubular or elongated structures. Birds help many plant species, including many blooming trees and shrubs, reproduce by spreading pollen from flower to flower as they eat nectar.
• Pest Control: As natural insect predators, birds help manage pest species that can harm crops and forests by controlling bug populations. In agricultural landscapes, birds such as swallows, warblers, and flycatchers consume large quantities of insects, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. By preying on pests like caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers, birds maintain ecosystem balance and the sustainability of agricultural systems.
• Indicator Species for Ecosystem Health: Birds are important indicators of ecosystem health and integrity because they are sensitive to changes in their surroundings. Declines in bird populations or changes in bird distribution patterns can signal broader ecological disturbances, including habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change. Monitoring bird populations and studying their behaviors can provide valuable insights into ecosystems’ state and inform conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity .
• Nutrient Cycling: Birds play a role in nutrient cycling by transporting nutrients between different parts of ecosystems through their activities. For example, seabirds that feed at sea often return to coastal colonies to nest, bringing nutrients from marine environments back to terrestrial habitats like guano. This nutrient input can enrich soils, promote plant growth, and support diverse plant and animal communities in coastal and island ecosystems.

Bird Behavior and Communication

Birds exhibit various behaviors and communication strategies shaped by evolutionary adaptations, social interactions, and environmental cues. Understanding these behaviors provides insights into avian ecology, social dynamics, and species interactions. Here are seven key points to consider:

• Courtship Rituals: Numerous bird species use complex courtship rituals to entice partners and form breeding relationships. Courtship displays may involve intricate dances, vocalizations, plumage displays, and gift-giving behaviors. These rituals often demonstrate the fitness and suitability of potential mates and strengthen pair bonds for successful reproduction.
• Nesting Behaviors: Birds exhibit diverse nesting behaviors, with nest construction varying greatly among species. Some birds build intricate nests using twigs, leaves, mud, and other materials, while others rely on natural cavities or burrows. Nesting behaviors include egg-laying, incubation, and parental care, with responsibilities shared between males and females in many species.
• Vocalizations: Vocal communication is essential for birds, serving various purposes such as mate attraction, territory defense, and social bonding. Birds produce various vocalizations, including songs, calls, and alarm signals, each with distinct meanings and functions. Songbirds, in particular, are renowned for their complex and melodious songs, which play a crucial role in mate selection and territory establishment.
• Foraging Strategies: Birds employ diverse foraging strategies adapted to their specific dietary preferences, habitat types, and ecological niches. Some birds use visual cues to locate prey, while others rely on auditory or olfactory cues. Foraging behaviors may include hunting, scavenging, probing, pecking, and diving, with different species specializing in particular feeding techniques.
• Parental Care: Parental care behaviors vary among bird species but generally involve feeding, protecting, and nurturing offspring until they are independent. Both parents may participate in raising young, with responsibilities divided based on factors such as mate fidelity and resource availability. Parental care strategies can influence offspring survival and reproductive success, shaping population dynamics and evolutionary processes.
• Agonistic Behavior: Agonistic behaviors, including territorial defense, aggression, and dominance displays, are common among birds, especially during breeding. Birds may engage in vocal or physical displays to establish dominance hierarchies, defend territories, or compete for resources such as food, mates, or nesting sites. Agonistic interactions help regulate population densities, reduce competition, and maintain social stability within avian communities.
• Social Structure: Birds exhibit various social structures, from solitary individuals to complex social groups. Factors such as habitat availability, resource distribution, predation pressure, and breeding systems may influence bird social behavior. Some species form cohesive flocks or colonies for feeding, roosting, or breeding, while others maintain smaller family groups or pairs.

Migration and Navigation

Migration is one of the most fascinating behaviors exhibited by birds, involving long-distance seasonal movements between breeding and non-breeding areas. Birds undertake these journeys to optimize their chances of survival and reproductive success, responding to changing environmental conditions such as temperature, resource availability, and daylight duration. Here’s a detailed exploration of migration and navigation in birds:

• Migration Patterns: Birds undertake seasonal movements between breeding and non-breeding areas, varying from short local migrations to transcontinental journeys. Migration routes often align with geographic features like coastlines or mountains, facilitating travel.
• Timing of Migration: Factors such as day length, temperature, and food availability influence migration timing. Birds use cues like day length and celestial signals to determine optimal migration periods.
• Navigation Mechanisms: Birds navigate using innate biological mechanisms and environmental cues, such as the sun, stars, and Earth’s magnetic field. They may also use visual landmarks and respond to wind patterns and odors.
• Navigation Challenges: Birds face challenges during migration, such as adverse weather, habitat loss, and artificial light pollution. Anthropogenic factors such as habitat fragmentation, pollution, and climate change can disrupt migratory routes and alter the timing and success of migration for many bird species.
• Conservation Implications: Conservation efforts for migratory birds include creating protected areas along migration routes, restoring habitats, and reducing hazards like habitat loss and pollution. International cooperation is essential for conserving species that cross multiple borders during migration.

Human Interactions with Birds

From providing aesthetic enjoyment to serving as indicators of environmental health, birds play diverse roles in human societies worldwide. Let’s explore the various ways in which humans interact with birds:

• Birdwatching as a Hobby: Birdwatching is a beloved pastime worldwide. Enthusiasts observe avian species in natural habitats. It fosters a connection to nature and builds social bonds within birding communities. Birdwatching tourism boosts local economies, supporting businesses catering to enthusiasts.
• Economic Impact of Birds: Birds contribute to economies through ecotourism and related industries. Birdwatching tourism stimulates local economies, while bird-related industries generate revenue and employment opportunities. Birds provide essential services in agriculture, enhancing food security and sustainability.
• Conservation Efforts and Challenges: Conservation organizations collaborate to establish protected areas and enact legislation for bird conservation. However, birds face threats such as habitat loss, climate change, and pollution, necessitating concerted efforts across all levels to ensure their survival.
• Cultural Significance: Birds are culturally significant worldwide, symbolizing freedom and spirituality. They feature prominently in art, literature, and religious beliefs, reflecting humanity’s reverence for the natural world. Indigenous cultures incorporate birds into traditions, recognizing them as symbols of identity and wisdom.
• Citizen Science Initiatives: Citizen science programs engage volunteers in bird research and conservation efforts. Participants collect bird populations and behavior data, contributing valuable insights for scientific research and conservation initiatives. Involvement in citizen science fosters environmental knowledge and a sense of responsibility for avian conservation.

Threats to Bird Populations

Birds face many threats that endanger their survival and well-being, ranging from habitat loss and climate change to pollution and invasive species. Let’s explore some of the key threats to bird populations:

• Habitat Loss and Degradation: The loss and deterioration of habitat brought on by human activities like deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development is one of the biggest dangers to bird populations. Destruction of natural habitats reduces available nesting sites, food sources, and bird shelters, leading to declining population numbers and species diversity.
• Climate Change: Climate change threatens bird populations by altering temperature patterns, precipitation regimes, and habitat suitability. Rising temperatures can disrupt breeding and migration schedules, shift bird species’ ranges, and cause mismatches between birds and their food sources. Storms, droughts, and heat waves are examples of extreme weather events that can destroy bird populations, especially those whose habitat is lost or fragmented.
• Pollution: Pollution , including air , water , and soil contamination, threatens bird populations and their habitats. Pesticides, herbicides, and chemical pollutants can accumulate in birds’ bodies, leading to toxic effects such as reproductive failure, immune system suppression, and developmental abnormalities. Oil spills, plastic debris, and marine pollution further endanger seabirds and coastal bird species, causing mortality and habitat degradation.
• Invasive Species: Intentional or inadvertent human introduction of invasive species can upset natural ecosystems and cause native bird species to lose out on territory, food, and nesting grounds. Invasive predators, such as rats, cats, and snakes, pose particular threats to ground-nesting birds and island species with limited defensive mechanisms against introduced predators.
• Overexploitation and Hunting: Overexploitation and hunting for food, feathers, and pets threaten bird populations, particularly in regions with high hunting pressure and lax regulations. Unsustainable hunting methods can negatively impact ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity by causing localized extinctions and population decreases of sensitive bird species.
• Habitat Fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation, caused by the fragmentation of natural landscapes due to human activities such as agriculture , logging, and road construction, disrupts connectivity between habitat patches and isolates bird populations. It can restrict the mobility of birds, make them more vulnerable to exotic species and predators, and decrease genetic variety, all of which raise the possibility of population decline and extinction.
• Collision with Structures: Birds are vulnerable to collisions with human-made structures such as buildings, communication towers, wind turbines, and power lines. These collisions cause significant mortality, especially during migration, when birds navigate unfamiliar landscapes and encounter obstacles along their flight paths.

Conservation Efforts

Protecting bird populations and their habitats is essential for preserving ecological services, preserving biodiversity, and advancing the welfare of both humans and birds. Let’s explore some key conservation efforts focused on bird conservation:

• Protected Areas : Establishing and managing national parks, wildlife refuges, and reserves to provide essential habitats for breeding, feeding, and resting. These areas support biodiversity and natural environments for future generations.
• Habitat Restoration and Management : Restoring degraded habitats through reforestation, wetland restoration, and invasive species control to improve habitat quality and resilience. Collaboration with stakeholders and communities is vital for successful projects.
• Conservation Breeding and Reintroduction : Captive breeding and release programs aim to boost wild populations of endangered species facing threats like habitat loss and predation, preventing extinction, and restoring populations.
• Legal Protections and Policies : Enacting and enforcing laws and regulations to safeguard bird species and habitats, controlling habitat destruction, pollution, and hunting through frameworks like the CBD and MBTA.
• Community Engagement and Education : Involving local communities and indigenous peoples in conservation efforts, raising awareness, and fostering stewardship through participatory projects and capacity-building.
• International Collaboration : Collaborating across borders to address transboundary conservation challenges, protect migratory bird species, and conserve habitats through initiatives like the CMS and AEWA.
• Research and Monitoring : Conducting scientific research and monitoring programs to understand bird populations, identify conservation priorities, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. This research informs evidence-based conservation planning and management strategies.

Birding Destinations

These locations provide exceptional chances to see and enjoy the beauty of birds in their native environments. Here are five top birding destinations to add to your bucket list:

• Costa Rica: Known for its incredible biodiversity, Costa Rica offers birdwatchers the chance to spot hundreds of species in diverse habitats, including rainforests, cloud forests, and mangrove swamps. Highlights include the resplendent quetzal, scarlet macaw, and hummingbirds like the fiery-throated and violet sabrewing.
• Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: These remote islands are renowned for their unique wildlife, including many endemic bird species found nowhere else on Earth. Birdwatchers can observe blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses, flightless cormorants, and Darwin’s finches, among others, in stunning volcanic landscapes.
• Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya: While famous for its big cats and wildebeest migration, the Maasai Mara also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. Visitors can spot African fish eagles, secretary birds, ostriches, and numerous migratory species against the backdrop of the savanna and acacia woodlands.
• The Pantanal, Brazil: As one of the world’s largest tropical wetland areas, the Pantanal is a haven for birdwatchers seeking diverse avian life. Here, birdwatchers can encounter toucans, jabirus, hyacinth macaws, and the elusive jaguar amid the vast floodplains and marshes.
• Borneo, Malaysia: Home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world, Borneo offers birdwatchers the chance to see a wide range of endemic species, including the rhinoceros hornbill, Bornean banded pitta, and the colorful Bornean bristlehead. Boat trips along rivers provide access to remote habitats teeming with birdlife.
• Southern Arizona, USA: Southern Arizona is a hotspot for birdwatching, particularly during the spring migration, when thousands of birds pass through. The region is home to species like the elegant trogon, painted redstart, vermilion flycatcher, and numerous hummingbird species attracted to the desert blooms.
• Tasmania, Australia: Tasmania’s diverse landscapes, including rainforests, alpine heaths, and coastal cliffs, support a rich array of birdlife. Birdwatchers can spot endemic species like the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle, swift parrot, and forty-spotted pardalote, along with seabirds, penguins, and endemic honeyeaters.
• Kruger National Park, South Africa: While famous for its big game, Kruger National Park also boasts a diverse bird population, with over 500 species recorded. Birdwatchers can spot raptors like martial eagles, colorful bee-eaters, hornbills, and the iconic lilac-breasted roller against the backdrop of the African bushveld.

My Favorite Bird: The Majestic Eagle

A creature that symbolizes strength, freedom, and resilience. The eagle symbolizes unrestricted freedom and serves as a constant reminder of the immense possibilities that lie beyond our everyday existence with its piercing gaze and beautiful flight. Its unwavering determination and relentless spirit inspire me to approach challenges with courage and tenacity, knowing that with determination, anything is possible.

Moreover, the eagle’s significance in various cultures and mythologies worldwide underscores its timeless importance. It is cherished by many, including me, as a sign of strength and protection. Its presence in folklore and legends reminds us of our deep connection to nature and the profound wisdom it imparts. In essence, the eagle stands as a beacon of hope—a reminder of the courage, freedom, and resilience within each of us.

Birds are not merely feathered creatures but integral components of our planet’s ecosystems, cultural heritage, and biodiversity. Birds enrich our lives through their diverse behaviors, ecological roles, and intricate navigational abilities, inspiring awe and wonder. However, they face numerous threats, including habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and exploitation, which require urgent attention and concerted conservation efforts. By recognizing the value of birds, promoting habitat conservation, and fostering international cooperation, we can ensure avian species’ continued survival and well-being. Let us unite in our commitment to protecting birds and preserving the beauty and diversity of our natural world.

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Valuation, Hadoop, Excel, Web Development & many more.

Forgot Password?

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Explore 1000+ varieties of Mock tests View more

Submit Next Question

🚀 Limited Time Offer! - 🎁 ENROLL NOW

Essay on Birds 200+ Words

Birds are incredible creatures that grace our skies and forests, adding beauty, diversity, and significance to our world. In this essay, we will explore the marvelous world of birds, their importance in our ecosystem, and the fascinating aspects of their lives.

A World of Diversity

Birds come in an astonishing array of shapes, sizes, and colors. From the majestic bald eagle soaring high to the tiny hummingbird flitting about flowers, there’s a bird for every environment. In fact, there are over 10,000 different species of birds worldwide, each with its unique characteristics.

The Power of Flight

One of the most remarkable features of birds is their ability to fly. Their wings allow them to navigate the skies effortlessly. Birds have fascinated scientists for centuries, and their aerodynamic designs have inspired innovations in aviation. Leonardo da Vinci, a brilliant inventor, studied bird flight to create his flying machine designs.

Environmental Indicators

Birds serve as important indicators of the health of our environment. They are highly sensitive to changes in their surroundings. Ornithologists, scientists who study birds, often use bird populations as indicators of environmental changes. A decline in certain bird species can signal problems like pollution or habitat destruction.

Ecosystem Engineers

Birds play vital roles in ecosystems by acting as “ecosystem engineers.” For example, woodpeckers create holes in trees that later become homes for other animals. Birds also help control insect populations by feeding on them. In this way, they help maintain the delicate balance of nature.

Seed Dispersers

Many birds are essential for spreading seeds. When birds eat fruits and then travel to other locations, they help plants spread and grow in new areas. This process, known as seed dispersal, is crucial for the survival of various plant species.

Songbirds and Their Melodies

Songbirds are famous for their melodious tunes. They communicate, find mates, and establish territories through their songs. Ornithologists have discovered that some birds, like the nightingale, have incredibly complex songs, with each note having a specific purpose.

Migration Marvels

Birds embark on incredible journeys during migration. They fly thousands of miles to find food, avoid harsh weather, or breed in suitable areas. For example, the Arctic Tern holds the record for the longest annual migration, traveling from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back.

Birds as Inspirations

Birds have been a source of inspiration for humans throughout history. Their grace and beauty have inspired countless works of art, literature, and poetry. Famous painters like John James Audubon dedicated their lives to depicting the beauty of birds in their natural habitats.

Birds and Biodiversity

Birds are an essential part of Earth’s biodiversity. They contribute to the interconnected web of life, where every species plays a role. When we protect birds and their habitats, we also protect countless other species and the overall health of our planet.

Conclusion of Essay on Birds

In conclusion, birds are more than just creatures that fill our skies and forests. They are diverse, adaptable, and vital to the balance of nature. Birds’ ability to fly, their environmental significance, and their cultural and artistic inspiration make them truly remarkable. It is our responsibility to appreciate, protect, and conserve these feathered marvels and ensure that they continue to enrich our world for generations to come. Birds are not just a part of nature; they are a part of our shared human heritage, reminding us of the wonders of the natural world.

Also Check: List of 500+ Topics for Writing Essay

Enter your email to download PDF and receive updates from OSMO

Scan to get started.

The Assessment App is available only on the Apple App Store . Please scan the QR code below with your iPhone device to download the app.

Essay On Birds

500+ words essay on birds, their characteristics and how they’re important for the environment.

Of all animals in the world, birds are one of the most fascinating creatures. These winged animals can walk on the ground and even fly high in the skies. The wings, the hundreds of feathers that cover their bodies and their hollow bones are what helps them lift their bodies and fly. But not all birds can fly, birds like ostriches and penguins are flightless birds. 

There are thousands of species of birds on Earth and each of them is unique. Most of them are herbivorous, but a few species of birds are carnivorous. For example, kites, vultures, hawks, eagles etc are called birds of prey because they eat other animals.

Birds are extremely important for our environment. From pollination to keeping the earth clean and even predicting weather conditions, birds are extremely useful. In this essay on birds, learn about the characteristics of birds and how they’re vital to our ecosystem and it’s balance.

Essay On Birds: Characteristics Of Birds

Here are 5 major characteristics of birds:

• Wings: Wings are what differentiate birds from other animals. These wings are what help the birds fly. But not all birds have wings. Some birds like penguins have flippers, which helps them swim.
• Feathers: Feathers are another defining feature of birds, which separate them from other animals. Feathers help birds fly and also keep them warm and protect them against the elements.
• Beak or bill:  All birds have a beak or a bill, which is a bony projection on their faces. These beaks or bills are the entry to a bird’s mouth. Different species of birds have different kinds of beaks or bills depending on their diet. For example, predatory birds like hawks and eagles have sharp, hooked beaks, which helps in tearing and ripping meat. Birds with cone shaped beaks help them break the shells of nuts and seeds to eat them. Aquatic birds like ducks and geese have bills, which help them strain food from the water. Some birds like hummingbirds have a sharp needle-like beak that helps them suck nectar from flowers.
• Skeleton: Another distinguishing feature of birds is their hollow and lightweight but strong skeleton. This is what helps the bird lift itself off the ground and fly into the sky. But this differs in flightless birds. Penguins have large, marrow-filled bones and fat, which protects them against the cold in their frozen habitat. Ostriches have heavy, solid bones and muscles in their legs, which gives them the strength to run at high speeds and kick powerfully. 
• Eggs: Another distinctive feature of birds is that they give birth to their young ones by laying and hatching eggs. Most birds construct nests to lay and hatch their eggs and care for their hatchlings.

Now that you know the different characteristics of birds, read on to learn about the importance of birds for our environment in this essay on birds.

Also explore: Essay on animals and Essay on Zoo .

Essay On Birds: The Importance Of Birds

Birds are an important part of our environment and food chain, they’re vital to maintain a balance in the ecosystem. In fact, sometimes we need birds more than they need us.

• Pollination and Seed Dispersion: Birds are extremely important for pollination and dispersing seeds. This helps more plants grow. Additionally, bird droppings also add more nutrients to the soil, so they’re important for soil fertility too.
• Balance the food chain: Carnivorous birds eat pests and rodents like mice, rats, snakes etc. This keeps a check on rodent population and helps in pest control. Birds that eat carrion help keep the environment clean of decaying matter.
• Predicting weather: Birds are very intuitive creatures. They’re very sensitive to changes in weather and can sense high levels of carbon monoxide. So, they are often used to predict explosions in coal mines.

Sadly, these beautiful creatures are in danger. The greed of humans, climate change and pollution pose a threat to these fascinating creatures. We need to ensure that the species survives to keep the ecosystem from falling apart.

We hope you found this essay on birds helpful. For more such essays on different topics, check Osmo’s essays for kids .

Frequently Asked Questions On Birds

What are the characteristics that distinguish birds from other animals.

The characteristics that distinguish birds from other animals are their wings, feathers, beaks or bills and their lightweight and hollow skeleton.

How are birds important to the environment?

Birds are important for dispersing seeds and pollination, pest control, balancing the food chain and predicting the weather.

Subscribe to Osmo & get

your first purchase

You’ve been subscribed with

Check the welcome mail to download the printables and avail your discount.

Explore our award-winning products for kids learning.

* Offer valid only for 7 days.

Essay on Peacock for Students and Children

500+ words essay on peacock.

Peacock is a bird that carries huge national importance in India. Most noteworthy, the bird is famous for its beautiful vibrant colours. The Peacock is popular for its spectacular beauty. It certainly has a hypnotic appearance. Watching it dance during the Monsoon season is a great pleasure experience. Its beautiful colours instantly bring comfort to the eyes. The Peacock has significant religious involvement in Indian traditions . Due to this, Peacock was declared as the National Bird of India.

Physical Appearance of Peacock

Peacocks are the males of the species. They have a stunningly beautiful appearance. Due to this, the bird gets a huge appreciation from around the World. Furthermore, their length from the tip of the beak to the end of the train is 195 to 225 cm. Also, their average weight is 5 kg. Most noteworthy, the head, neck, and breast of Peacock are of iridescent blue colour. They also have patches of white around the eyes.

Peacock has a crest of feathers on top of the head. The most remarkable feature of the Peacock is the extraordinary beautiful tail. This tail is called a  train . Furthermore, this train becomes fully developed after 4 years of hatching. The 200 odd display feathers grow from the back of the bird. Also, these feathers are part of the enormous elongated upper tail. The train feathers do not have barbs to hold the feathers in place. Therefore, the association of the feathers is loose.

The Peacock colours are a result of intricate microstructures. Furthermore, these microstructures create optical phenomena. Also, each train feather ends in an eye-catching oval cluster. The back wings of the Peacock are greyish brown in colour. Another important thing to know is that the back wings are short and dull.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Behaviour of Peacock

The Peacock is famous for the striking elegant display of feathers. The Peacocks spread their train and quiver it for courtship display. Also, the number of eyespots in a male’s courtship display affects mating success.

Peacocks are omnivorous species. Furthermore, they survive on seeds, insects, fruits and even small mammals. Also, they live in small groups. A group probably has a single male and 3-5 females. They mostly stay on the upper branches of a tall tree to escape predators. Peacocks prefer to run rather take a flight when in danger. Most noteworthy, Peacocks are quite agile on foot.

To sum it up, Peacock is a bird of mesmerizing charm. It is certainly a fascinating colourful bird that has been the pride of India for centuries. Peacock is a bird of exquisite beauty. Due to this, they have been a source of inspiration for artists. Catching a glimpse of this bird can bring delight to the heart. Peacock is a true representative of India’s fauna. It certainly is the pride of India.

FAQ on Peacock

Q1 What are the colour of a Peacock’s head and neck?

A1 The colour of a Peacock’s head and neck is iridescent blue.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

English Compositions

Short Essay on My Favourite Bird [100, 200, 400 Words] With PDF

Birds are one of the most beautiful creatures in the world. Most of them look very beautiful and they can fly above the sky. In this lesson today, you will learn how to write a short essay on your favourite bird.

Short Essay on My Favourite Bird Peacock in 100 Words 

There are tens of thousands of birds in the world but my favourite bird is the peacock. A peacock is a beautiful bird. It has a shiny, dark blue neck and a crown on its head. Its tail feathers are colourful and long. During the monsoon season, peacocks spread their feathers and dance gracefully.

Their dance is spectacular and brings joy to those watching. Peacocks are the male birds of their species. The females are called peahen and are less colourful than the males. Peacocks live on the upper branches of tall trees and prefer running to flying. They are quite agile on foot. In India, peacocks have religious and cultural significance. They are the national bird of our country. 

Short Essay on My Favourite Bird Parrot in 200 Words 

There are many different types of birds in the world. My favourite bird is the parrot. Parrots come in different sizes, shapes, and colours. Some are single-coloured while others have bright, multi-coloured feathers. The colour of their plumage can range from predominantly green with some red to a vibrant mix of red, orange, green, blue, yellow, pink, and black. Some smaller species of parrots can only grow up to ten centimetres while some larger varieties grow up to a hundred centimetres and weigh over a kilogram. 

Parrots are omnivores and eat nuts, seeds, berries, fruits, plants, grains as well as small insects. They have a curved beak that helps them split fruits and nuts. These birds are quite intelligent and can mimic human speech. They are very playful and friendly in nature. Parrots usually build their nests in the hollow of trees and lay eggs twice a year. Baby parrots are called chicks and are very cute. 

In recent times, due to habitat loss, climate change, and wildlife trade, many types of parrots are becoming endangered. Many people keep parrots as pets in cages for entertainment and do not take good care of them. This needs to be stopped. Parrots are great birds and we should do our best to protect them and take care of them. 

Short Essay on My Favourite Bird Cuckoo in 400 Words 

I have seen hundreds of different types of birds and observed their unique quirks and I adore them all, but my favourite is the cuckoo. Cuckoos are black in colour and have long tails. They look like crows but are smaller than them. The sound that cuckoos make is very pleasant to listen to and they are quite famous for it as well. Their melodious call fills everyone with joy. Cuckoos live on trees and in bushes. They eat fruits, insects, and worms. They especially like eating caterpillars. 

Cuckoos are migratory birds and we often see them during the spring season. Hence, they are called the harbinger of spring. Cuckoos have a peculiar habit. They do not make nests and are infamous for laying eggs in the nests of other birds, usually crows. A female cuckoo can lay eggs in as many as 50 nests during the breeding season.

Cuckoos have evolved to lay eggs that mimic the eggs of crows. This prevents their eggs from being ejected from the nest. The crows mistake the eggs as their own and look after them. Cuckoo chicks hatch and grow up under the care of crows. 

In the village, we wake up every day listening to the chirping of different birds and during the spring season, it is beautiful ‘kuhu kuhu’ of the cuckoos that dominate. There are at least ten pairs of cuckoos that live in our orchard and we give them grains and fruits to feed on.

Although they are usually afraid of humans and don’t come too close, I once befriended a cuckoo. It had red eyes and used to come near the windowsill of my room every morning. I fed it grains that I got from my grandmother and also caught a few hairy caterpillars for it. One day, it brought along another cuckoo. Both of them looked quite similar. 

I had a great time interacting with the cuckoos in my village orchard and fell in love with them. When the vacation was over, we had to come back and I started missing the cuckoos. I read a lot of articles on these birds and filled my room with posters of these beautiful creatures. After a few months, when we went to visit my grandparents again, it was already winter and the cuckoos had migrated. I never saw my friend again but I still remember its amazing red eyes and melodious voice. Cuckoos have since been my favourite birds. 

In the session above, I have written three essays on three different birds. You can choose any of those according to your requirements. I have also tried to write the essays in a very simple language that every student can easily understand. If you still have any doubts regarding this session, please let us know through the comment section below. If you want to read more such essays on several important topics, keep browsing our website. 

To get the latest updates on our upcoming sessions, kindly join us on Telegram. Thank you. See you again, soon. 

Essay on Birds for Students and Children in 1000+ Words

In this article, you will read an Essay on Birds for students and children in 1000+ words. It includes nature, living situation, voices, habitats, importance and 10 lines about birds.

Table of Contents

Introduction (Essay on Birds)

Nature of birds.

Birds are very strange. Some black, some green and some purple. Their body is very light because of which they can fly easily. Their wings are light and colourful. They have two legs and two eyes.

Living Situation of Birds

Collected the weeds, added the straw, and made a nest. Some birds are very skilled at building a nest, such bird’s know as nesting birds. They make it on sight.

Voices of Birds

In this way, the birds want to be free, but some birds are kept domestic by humans. Birds like pigeon, parrot , a rooster can be domesticated. The parrot is ensconced in many houses and can mimic the voice of a man.

Eating Habits of Birds

Some birds live in inaccessible places. Penguin is one such bird. It can also survive in icy places in the Polar Regions. Some birds live in water. Cranes, heron, swan, watercourse, etc. are such birds. They can prey on the water for fishes and other small creatures on earth.

National Bird of India

Importance of birds.

Same as the national bird of India is a peacock, the Kiwi is recognised as the national bird of New Zealand. Some birds are in a particular country. The Kiwi bird is found only in New Zealand.

10 Lines on Birds

The government has enacted the Wildlife Act and sanctuaries for their safe abode. People should make reasonable efforts to save rare birds. I hope you liked this lovely essay on birds.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply, copyright protection, important links.

Essay on Birds (800 Words)

Birds are a part of the animal kingdom and have existed for over 150 million years. They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny hummingbirds to magnificent cranes.

This essay will explore the habitats of birds, their migration patterns and their different types.

Essay on Birds

Birds come in all shapes and sizes, but they are all capable of flight. Birds are one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom.

Birds and their habitat

A bird’s habitat is the place that it lives and raises its young. Birds live in a variety of habitats, such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts and beaches. Some birds migrate to other places for the winter because there are not enough resources where they currently live.

They can be found everywhere from rainforests to deserts, to urban areas. No matter where you are there’s a chance that birds will exist somewhere around you.

It is estimated that there are 10,000 species of birds alive today with many more still being discovered each year! Birds have been around for a long time too; fossils show that birds were around about 150 million years ago.

Bird migration patterns

Birds are an integral part of our ecosystem. They act as pollinators, seed eaters, and predators which maintain the balance of nature.

As the air becomes warmer with summer approaching, many birds migrate to regions where it is cooler. This is called migration. Bird migration has an impact on various areas of human life including agriculture, public health, and industry.

Birds play an essential role in crop pollination so their absence can cause problems for farmers who rely on this service to produce food for humans around the world.

Bird droppings carry many types of harmful bacteria which can be dangerous to people if ingested or inhaled through dust particles.

Characteristics of birds

Birds live on every continent except Antarctica because they cannot survive there due to its cold climate and shortage of food sources for them to eat.

How do birds fly? The muscles in the chest help push air down from the lungs which creates an upward flow around the bird’s body. This then creates a lift that produces enough force for flight!

The different types of birds

There are currently over 10,000 types of birds on Earth, but our knowledge of them is still limited.

Birds can come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny little hummingbirds to huge eagles. There are so many different types of birds that it would be impossible to know them all!

Tips for attracting more birds to your yard (e.g., feed them)

The average person spends most of their time at home. Whether it’s for work, recreation or both, the majority of our lives are spent indoors. This is why so many people love to have a backyard with plants and trees around- not only do they provide shade in the summertime but they also help attract birds!

The best way to attract more birds to your yard is by providing them with the food and shelter they need. Here are some tips on how you can increase your bird population this season:

More on essays

Similar Posts

Exclamatory pronouns (example sentences & definition), possessive noun examples, rules & definition, free printable pronoun chart (12 types), essay on why trees are important in our life, worksheet on future continuous tense with answers, 4 types of reading skills and strategies to enhance reading speed, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Listing and Taxonomy

Checklist Redux 2024

ABA Area Field Guides

The American Birding Association Field Guides each include hundreds of species birders are most likely to see in their state or province. Illustrated with crisp, color photographs, they include descriptions of each bird along with tips of when and where to see them, and are written by local expert birders.

• Welcome New Birders!
• Birding News
• ABA Checklist
• Listing & Taxonomy
• ABA Field Guides
• ABA Rare Bird Alert
• Festivals & Events
• Birding Clubs & Organizations
• ABA Area Birding Trails
• Listing Central
• ABA Code of Birding Ethics

Latest Podcast, Articles, & More…

08-34: Figuring out Flamingos with Amy Davis and José Ramirez-Garafalo

ABA-YBMP , Current

2024 ABA Young Birders of The Year

Rare bird alert.

Rare Bird Alert: August 23, 2024

Field ornithology.

First Red-flanked Bluetail in the Eastern ABA Area

• Book Reviews

Reveries Along the Road

August 2024 Photo Quiz

How to know the birds.

How to Know the Birds: No. 83, An Unusual Song Sparrow

Birds and....

No. 25: Birds and Nests

• Birding Magazine

Birding Online: July 2024

North American Birds

North American Birds: Vol. 75, No. 1

Section home pages.

• American Birding Podcast
• NAB Regional Reports
• Identification
• ABA Publications Archive
• ABA Young Birders

ABA Young Birder Program includes ABA Young Birder Camps, the ABA Young Birder Mentoring Program, and the young birder magazine, The Fledgling.

When you travel with ABA, you help build a better future for birds, birders, and birding. We combine great field birding, amazing destinations, and cultural immersion, while supporting local communities.

Birders’ Exchange provides birdwatching equipment and resources to organizations in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean with an educational need.

The American Birding Association is proud to partner with Thanksgiving Coffee Company to bring you Song Bird Coffee. Song Bird is grown on small farms that have been certified Bird-Friendly by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, the gold standard for shade-grown, organic coffees.

• ABA Community Weekends

ABA Community Weekends bring birders together near you! With the help of local friends and partners, we offer guided bird walks, workshops, and gatherings in cities across the U.S. and Canada and it’s free to participants.

• Birders’ Exchange
• ABA Song Bird Coffee

The ABA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that  inspires all people to enjoy and protect wild birds.

Please join us as we leverage our extensive knowledge, expertise, connections, and world-class content to bring more people into the birding community.

• My Membership
• Join ABA Community
• Flight Calls newsletter
• Matching Gifts
• Gift Planning
• Search for:
• WooCommerce Cart 0

Book and Media Reviews

Essays on birds, conservation, and more by a prominent contemporary novelist, july 2, 2020.

A review by Robert O. Paxton

The End of the End of the Earth , by Jonathan Franzen

Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2018

240 pages, hardcover

ABA Sales–Buteo Books 15050  

J onathan Franzen has published five novels, four works of non-fiction, and numerous short stories in The New Yorker and elsewhere. He won the National Book Award for Fiction for The Corrections (2001), which was also a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. After the publication of Freedom (2010), his face appeared on the cover of Time magazine as a “Great American Novelist.” Franzen has become a highly visible and somewhat curmudgeonly presence on television talk shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show. This high-octane day job has not prevented Franzen from being a birder very much like the rest of us, the “real, avid, smitten thing,” as he puts it in these essays. “Seeing new bird species was the only activity that I could absolutely count on not to bore me,” he wrote in the title essay of an earlier essay collection, Farther Away .

A successful novelist may be no better than the rest of us at finding and identifying birds, but we can expect him to write about these activities better than the rest of us. In “Missing,” a wry travel yarn, Franzen sets out to find all the endemics on Jamaica and Saint Lucia, and doesn’t quite make it. His efforts will sound familiar to anyone who has visited difficult countries, experienced jubilation and dejection as life birds are found or missed, and coped with pre-dawn awakenings, rainfall, dodgy local guides, and rapidly expiring time.

Franzen admits “to my shame [at being] what people in the world of birding call a lister.” He seeks birds “to experience their beauty and diversity, learn more about their behavior and the ecosystems they belong to, and take long, attentive walks in new places. But I also keep way too many lists.” He defends listing as a device for setting goals. “It is a way of energizing yourself for an experience that often entails unpleasantness.” He doesn’t reveal any of his numbers in these essays, but in an interview with Jason Ward in July 2019 he claimed a world life list of about 4,600.

Nor does he explain in these essays how he came to birding. Somewhat atypically, Franzen began late, at around forty, in 1999. In a 2013 interview in National Geographic , he mentioned examining a flicker closely in the days following his mother’s death, and of becoming aware of the nuances in the plumage of a towhee in a girlfriend’s yard. But it was the spectacle of spring migration in New York City’s Central Park that set off a true passion.

Like most of us, Franzen finds it hard to say exactly why birds give him an emotional charge. In the essay “Farther Away," from his previous essay collection, when his friend the novelist David Foster Wallace reacts to a telescope view of a Long-billed Curlew with a dismissive “Yeah, it’s pretty,” Franzen knows that no spark has passed. His various explanations of the fascination of birds—the extraordinary diversity of bird plumages and behaviors, birds’ role as our best contact with nature in “a world now largely overrun by human beings and still beautifully indifferent to us,” the ability to escape one’s own shortcomings in the “radical otherness of birds”—come across as rationalizations after the fact. In the last analysis, the “enduringly transcendent delight” of seeing a rare bird, as he puts it in “Farther Away,” has no justification other than itself.

Jonathan Franzen is too thoughtful a birder just to love them, list them, and leave them, however. Some of the most effective, if painful, essays in this book concern the destruction of bird life and the urgency of conservation. As an eyewitness to an “epic extinction event,” Franzen wants to engage public opinion. “May Your Life Be Ruined” describes the sickening and indiscriminate netting and shooting of migrant birds in some Mediterranean countries like Egypt, Italy, and Albania. In these countries young men are initiated into adult male society by killing every migrant bird they can. A similar essay appeared as “The Ugly Mediterranean” in Farther Away .

Another compelling essay, “Invisible Losses,” explores the decline of seabird populations by 70% in the last sixty years, a larger percentage of loss than for any other comparable group. Yet this catastrophe remains almost unknown, Franzen laments, because these species breed unobserved on remote islands. Both of the main offshore fishing techniques—trawling and long lines—are major culprits. Trawling entraps feeding seabirds in nets, while long lines attract them to baited hooks and then drag them under. New techniques make it possible to reduce the by-catch of birds from both of these fishing techniques, and the South African government has successfully adopted them. But the situation remains “atrocious” as other countries like Taiwan and China continue to use harmful industrial fishing techniques without any effort at mitigation.

The leading threat to seabirds is introduced predators—such as rats, mice, and cats—on the breeding islands. Having evolved without terrestrial predators, seabirds are utterly incapable of protecting their eggs and young from these aggressive carnivores. This subject provides another round of painful though necessary reading. The way mice kill albatross chicks much larger than themselves will keep you awake. Achievable solutions exist for the introduced predator problem, but they require long and costly extermination efforts. A particularly ambitious program of rodent eradication has been applied to the major bird breeding island of South Georgia, in the South Atlantic. Others are planned for islands off South Africa and California. Much of this information was new to this reviewer, and probably will also be new to most landlubber birders. It should not be missed.

A birding novelist is as likely to observe the observers as well as the birds. Sometimes Franzen scrutinizes himself, uncharitably, as an “angry bird-loving misfit who thinks he is smarter than the crowd.” He recalls himself as a young man “under the spell of my elite college education” envisioning “overthrowing the capitalist political economy in the near future through the application of literary theory.”

Franzen has strong opinions and no hesitation about voicing them. Ecotourism, he thinks, may be the best way around the economic pressures that destroy bird habitat. But he is unable to summon much affection for the ecotourists, “Americans who live far from the ecological damage that their consumption habits cause.” Or for the African parks where “tourists, most of them white, all of them affluent,” can “experience” an “Africa” that is actually a simulacrum maintained by their money, carefully screened from the “overgrazed, overpopulated trash-strewn countrysides” that lie just outside.

Though he has no doubt about the reality of climate change and the centrality of human activity among its causes, he prefers local mud-on-the-boots conservation projects that safeguard specific habitats and species to vast planetary projects, such as to trying to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. He fears that climate change is already a done deal, and that concentrating upon it, as he accuses the National Audubon Society of doing, deflects effort from more immediately urgent local actions. “Not one single bird death could be directly attributed to human carbon emissions.” Instead, “the most serious threats to American birds [are] habitat loss and cats.”

The National Audubon Society, Franzen asserts, “once an uncompromising defender of birds, is now a lethargic institution with a very large PR department.” This reviewer won’t disagree, having watched with dismay as National Audubon tried to kill the magazine American Birds , not simply by stopping its publication but also by arbitrarily retaining copyright to its name. The need to give a slightly clumsier new name, North American Birds, to this valuable guide to changing bird numbers and distribution burdened the American Birding Association’s laudable revival of it.

Climate change may indeed impact entire species of birds more directly than Franzen admits. Consider the Bicknell’s Thrush, whose habitat in the U. S., limited to mountaintops in New York and New England, is being squeezed upward as average temperatures rise. These birds may simply run out of space as they try to move upslope. Franzen’s own account of visiting Antarctica—subject of the title essay, “The End of the End of the Earth”—warns of a mammoth climate-change crisis in this “last substantially intact marine ecosystem” as rising seawater temperatures upset the entire biological association based on krill.

In the essay “Save What You Love,” Franzen advocates conservation projects that offer immediate help. They address specific habitats on a scale large enough to involve a full complement of species. They involve the local human inhabitants, who find work and see improvement in their lives. They are not simply entertainment for wealthy American birding tourists. The “most audacious and successful conservation project” Franzen knows is the habitat reconstruction activity of Dr. Daniel Janzen, of the University of Pennsylvania, in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica’s Pacific slope. Over many years Dr. Janzen has painstakingly nurtured new tropical forest in exhausted pastureland, a delicate task that got results sooner than he expected.

It is the nature of collections of essays to range across varied subjects. Many essays in The End of the End of the Earth are not about birds. There are personal reminiscences and reflections on the American novelists Edith Wharton and David Foster Wallace, the photographer Sarah Stolfa, and even an essay on the essay form.

Franzen’s birding life intersects with his literary life only occasionally. Just one novel, Freedom , involves birding. A plan to create a Cerulean Warbler reserve figures in the plot, and a Cerulean Warbler appears on the cover. Also Rule #7 among the “Ten Rules for the Novelist” published in this volume, sounds more useful for birders than for novelists: “You see more sitting still than chasing after.”

Some of Franzen’s most interesting birding essays do not appear in this collection. An account of birding in China, originally published as “The Chinese Puffin” in The New Yorker in April 2008, is reprinted in Farther Away. Yes, there are birders in China, as we know from the March–April 2006 and July–August 2013 issues of Birding. Franzen’s birding adventures in China leave one wondering whether to laugh or cry, and reveal a lot about that country’s breakneck transformation. The title essay in Farther Away recounts Franzen’s harrowing solo expedition to the island of Masafuera, far off Chile, and his failure to see the Masafuera Rayadito, related to, of all things, the forest-loving woodcreepers and antbirds. His struggle to find the bird—and, indeed, to survive—is incidental to this article’s main concerns with solitude and the capacity to accept falling short.

It’s too bad that Franzen’s birding essays haven’t been gathered in a single volume. They are fresh, unsentimental, by turns passionate or funny, opinionated (a word he uses about himself), and strongly personal. There is not a dull line in them.

Robert O. Paxton began birding at nine. Bob has served as regional editor for North American Birds magazine and its predecessors since 1963, first in California and since 1975 in New York. As Professor of History at Columbia University in New York, his scholarly work focused on Vichy France and fascism in Europe.

Related Posts

Portraits of Fauna in Decline

Learning From Owls

Terrific Terns

A Guide to a Great State

The Political Hatching of the Migratory Bird Treaty

A Memoir of Injustice and the Beauty of Birds

Extinction in the Anthropocene

Essays on Bearing Witness

The Connection Between Flowers and Birds

Build a Backyard Bird Haven

The Fight to Protect the Birds

Fantastic Flycatchers

Destroy, Save, Repeat: A Conservation Story

Migratory Medleys and a Chorus of Care

Outstanding Owls

A New Guide to a Birding Hotpot (review in English and Spanish)

Beginning Birding and Finding Community

The Diversity of Collective Living Strategies

Your Baby Bird Questions—Solved

A Biography of an ABA Founder

Eight Birdy Books for Kids

An Essential Guide to an Exceptional Place

The Quest for 800

The World of Seabirds

Unraveling the Secrets of Migration

The Restorative Force of Birding

Wonderful (Eastern) Warblers

A Poignant and Refreshing Travelogue

Women’s Work to Save the Birds

An Artful Memoir on the Joy of Birding

Preventing Bird Strikes

In Dark Times, Birds Bring Light

An Intrepid Photographer’s Stunning Compilation

An Illustrated Bird Book That Captures Our Love for Them

The Piping Plovers That Changed a City

Birding a Little Closer to Home

Why Birds Do What They Do

From Board Game to Beautiful Book

What Birds Mean to Us

Hints and Hot Spots for New Mexican Birds

Tales of Adventure and Avian Intrigue from a British Soldier

The Inspiration of Birds Throughout History

The Curious and Striking Belted Kingfisher

The Many Values of Community Science

A Modern Birdwatcher’s Guide to Everything

The Excellent, Exceptional, Elegant Estrildids

Words, and Birds, In the Air

Arrival of the Long-awaited Argentina Field Guide

A Guide to Earth’s Ecosystems

Close and Varied Encounters with Merlins

The Healing Power of Falconry

The Dazzling Science of the Evolution of Birds

Thorough Overview of a Conservation Conflict

A History of Movement on Wings

Wingclaps for a Winning Pigeon Pocket Guide

Un Nuevo Recurso para las Relaciones Planta-ave en el Neotrópico (review in Spanish and English)

A Glimpse into the World of Researchers

New Atlas with Something for Everyone

A Philosophical Exploration of How Birds Live

A Thorough Resource on Bird Names

An Exciting Field Guide for the Range of Light

The Solace of Birds

Pacific Northwest Birds for Kids

Two New Titles for East Africa

A Trio of Colombian Field Guides

Ode to an Unsung Ornithological Hero

Two Mighty Reference Books for Birders

A Global Account of Bird Migration

A Powerful Memoir on Florida Shorebirds

North to South with the Hummingbirds

Learning from Animals in Nonfiction

A Compelling Case for the Caracara

A Message of Hope in an Age of Loss

The Russian Far East Comes Alive

Monograph for the Mysterious Ring Ouzel

A Unique U. K. Guide on Raptor Leftovers

Owls, Eats, and Art

Can Photo Guides Do It All?

Two New England Birding Memoirs Delight and Deliver

A Debut Memoir Captures the Birding Lifestyle

A Gold Mine of Information for the Bird Enthusiast

Everything You Wanted to Know about Bird Body Systems

A Fun and Innovative New Site Guide for Texas

The Hawaiian ʻŌʻō Lives on in a New Children’s Book

A Superb New Resource for Improving Your Feeder-watching Experience

The Wingspan Franchise Changes the Game

A Grand Voyage to the “Grandest Island”

Exciting Titles for the Birding Literature of France

A Great New Entry to the Big Year Canon

A Brilliant Synthesis of Bird Behavior Research

The Great, Global Quest for Penguins

A Worldwide Look at How Birds Respond to Winter

The Fascinating and Often Shocking Breeding Life of Birds

On the Surface, a Most Unlikely Book of Interest to Birders

A Profound Look at an Overlooked Bird

When Communication Becomes Education: An Expert Birder Teaches and Inspires

A Birding Bildungsroman for Oregon’s Rogue Country

An Exciting New Resource for Bird Sounds of Southeast Arizona

Offspring of “HBW”: Lynx and BirdLife International Field Guides for Southeast Asia

A spectrogram is worth a thousand words.

A New Birding Guide for Ontario

Birds and Odes: Perfect Complements?

A Textbook with Opportunities for Birderly Learning

A Must-Have Resource for Global Seabirding

Embracing Birds of the Pacific Northwest

The Impulse to Sing: Birders and Music

Expert Advice for All Levels of Bird Photography

Excellent Essays and Fantastic Photos Reveal Threats to Western Hemisphere Birds

A Global Birding Pioneer Finally Tells His Tale

Gulls, Obsession, and Trash in a Human-altered World

The Universal Pleasures of Birding Pt. 2

The Universal Pleasures of Birding

The Comeback Bird

Birding is a force for good in our society. Learning and sharing about birds translates into concern for birds and the environment, and the American Birding Association provides resources and community for all people interested in birds!

Please consider joining or donating to the American Birding Association.

• Privacy Policy
• terms of use

Topics in English Topics in english to learn and fluent pronunciation and writing and facilitate conversation between you and others, whether in school, work or daily life

Essay on Birds 3 Models

Essay on birds is interesting because it deals with the life of birds in detail. Several examples such as a short essay on types of birds, a paragraph on raising birds at home, the economic value of keeping birds, names of some birds of prey, how to take care of domestic birds, how birds take care of their young, and what is the largest bird.

Information about birds that benefit all students, the food of birds, their reproduction, in addition to the migration of birds, why do birds migrate from their home to another place that may be thousands of kilometers away from their original home.

Essay on birds is a sample topic for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students, and first, second, and third grade students of middle school and high school.

Essay on birds

Birds are beautiful creatures, which is why all children love them. There are many types of birds, which we will mention in the essay on birds, and the forms of birds differ in terms of size, color, and the way nests are built.

All birds are characterized by beauty and bright colors, in addition to the softness of their feathers. Some birds are able to fly very long distances, even crossing the ocean during their migration without resting. Among the few species that cannot fly at all are penguins and ostriches.

Birds are vertebrates, and they are among the most diverse organisms, with approximately 10,000 species. Birds live in a variety of environments, where they live in mountainous areas, deserts, forests and farms, fields, gardens, cities and homes. That is, they live in diverse environments.

Supernatural qualities distinguish some birds

• Voice: God distinguished some birds with amazing sounds, which musicians cannot imitate. Examples include the goldfinch and other birds with wonderful sounds, which are more beautiful than the sounds of musical instruments in their beauty. Birds use sounds and vibrations to talk to each other. These sounds are the language of the birds through which they communicate, express their fear or happiness, and other important matters for them, such as places of food, water, and expressions of feelings also during the mating seasons.
• Feather colors: Birds are characterized by the beauty of their feathers, and its bright colors, and there is an amazing consistency between the colors of birds, which no artist can imagine, just as fashion designers cannot imitate it with the same accuracy. In the essay on birds we will show examples of birds with dazzling colors as the peacock. The male peacock is considered a beautiful painting, as it is characterized by colors and patterns that no artist can paint with such beauty. The colors of birds have many benefits, including attracting females during mating seasons, hiding from enemies, and so on.
• The power of sight: Some birds are distinguished by the power of sight, such as the falcon, the eagle, and others. The power of sight is useful in hunting prey, as they are seen and their movements are monitored from long distances. Thus, the bird can pounce on its prey without getting away from it. Birds of prey are often distinguished by the power of sight, as they can see prey 1.5 km away.
• The strength of the limbs: Birds are characterized by the strength of their limbs, as they carry their prey with their claws for long distances. They carry prey to the top of the trees where they build their nests, they carry prey to feed their young, so it is important that their limbs are strong. Some birds also use their legs and wings to defend themselves, or to defend the young.
• The strength of the beak: Birds’ beaks are generally considered strong, but in birds of prey they are strong and sharp. For example, a hawk or an eagle can slaughter its prey by using the beak. It can also tear the prey into small pieces that it can eat, and the bird also uses its beak to defend itself, and the best example of the strength of the bird’s beak is the woodpecker, which can make holes in the trunks of trees with its beak, while these trees were not affected by storms or rain, and a small bird was able to make large holes in the trunk of the tree so that this hole would be its home, and the birds also feed on solid grains.
• Sharp claws: Birds have sharp claws, and this helps them in self-defense, as well as in steadfastness on tree branches, so they do not fall while they sleep. Likewise, birds of prey catch their prey with claws, so that they cannot escape, then they also carry it with their claws and fly in the sky until they reach their nests.

Interesting information about bird life

• Birds are social beings: Most birds live in groups, flying in flocks. Essay on birds We explain the social life of birds, where there is understanding and cooperation between a group of birds, and they support each other. We also see the family bonding between birds, where both the male and the female participate in building the nest, incubating the eggs, feeding the young and defending them. The role played by the male or female varies depending on the type of bird. There are birds in which the male is in charge of preparing the nest, and in other birds the female is in charge of preparing the nest. Sometimes both the male and the female participate in preparing the nest. There are also birds, the male is associated with only one female throughout his life, and the birds grieve when they die or lose one of the spouses or one of the children, they have feelings of love and compassion.
• Birds lay eggs: the size and color of eggs varies from one bird to another. The ostrich egg is the largest egg, while the smallest egg is the eggs of some types of small birds. Bird eggs are characterized by the strength and hardness of their shell to suit environmental conditions. The male and female exchange incubating the eggs until the young hatch, and in most cases the incubation period for eggs may reach 21 days, as in chickens, or 30 days, as in ducks, geese, and others.
• The body of birds is lightweight: light weight helps them to fly. In the essay on birds, we will explain this, as birds have a lightweight body, and a streamlined shape that helps them fly. Birds were the source of inspiration for humans in the manufacture of aircraft, scientists have studied the physical characteristics of birds so that they can make aircraft. Its streamlined shape also helps it dive into the water and catch fish.
• Feathers are soft and shiny: There is no doubt that bird feathers are the source of their beauty, but they also have other benefits, such as protecting the flying body from direct shocks, helping the bird to fly, protecting the bird from weather fluctuations, especially as it protects the bird from rainwater, as rainwater slips on the feathers and does not reach the body of the bird.

Benefits of birds

• Birds play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance. Some birds feed on insects, such as the Cattle egrets bird, which works to clean the soil which make the agricultural plants free from parasites and harmful insects, in addition to aerating the agricultural soil, and this helps in improving agricultural production.
• Birds are an important source of white meat, and bird meat is more beneficial than the meat of other animals such as cows, buffaloes, and sheep, and therefore it is preferred by most people.
• Bird meat is an important source of proteins that we need for the growth of the body and strengthening the immune system. Bird meat is also characterized by its delicious taste.
• Pillows are made from the feathers of some birds, and for example, ostrich feathers, from which comfortable pillows are made, and therefore they are sold at very high prices.
• Birds carry pollen from one tree to another, and this helps trees pollinate naturally without human intervention. This helps to increase the production of fruits such as fruits and others.

The economic importance of birds

We cannot neglect to talk about the economic value of birds. We will mention the importance of expanding bird breeding in the essay on birds, especially poultry farms, which have become widespread in all countries of the world. Poultry farming has become an important industry with high economic value.

Man has been able to develop this vital industry, so that it produces the largest quantity of poultry, in order to meet human needs. There are modern ways to raise poultry, as it provides medical care for poultry, as well as the quality of food, setting the appropriate temperature inside farms and other things that help achieve good profits from poultry farming.

At the end of the essay on birds, interesting information about the life of birds, miraculous qualities that distinguish some birds, and the economic importance of birds have been presented.

It is important to realize that birds are social beings, and they have feelings like us, and they express their feelings by issuing certain sounds, and they grieve at the death of one of the spouses, so that they also become depressed and may die of grief.

Therefore, we must treat birds gently, and provide them with the necessary health care, and you can seek the help of a veterinarian to learn how to properly raise birds.

I hope you benefited from the essay on birds, and I would love to receive your comments.

To read more, click on the following link:

• Essay on if i were a bird
• Essay on my school picnic
• Essay on tigers

Related Articles

Essays On My Hobby 2 Models

January 24, 2023

Essay on old age home

Short Essay on Birds in English for Students and Children

Table of Contents

300-word essay on Bird

Birds are those living beings that can fly high in the sky. Birds have big feathers that help them to lift their bodies in the air. There are hundreds of types of birds on Earth and each of them is unique.

For example, the peacock has a magnificent tail made of beautiful feathers, the parrot is a bird that can learn to talk, crow is the smartest in bird kingdom, a hummingbird can sing, nightingale bird is also known for its melodious voice. Like this each bird is different in its abilities and looks.

They are a very important part of our ecosystem and the food chain. The carnivorous birds eat rodents, insects and even snakes, in this way they help in keeping check on their overpopulation. Birds also eat the corpses of other animals, by this, they help in keeping the nature clean of decaying matter.

Birds are beautiful and due to the greed of human beings, many birds are going extinct. Humans hunt exotic birds and cage them and even sell them. This is harmful to the environment and the bird’s kingdom.

Questions on Birds

Why should we save birds.

The herbivorous birds which eat plants and animals both or the omnivorous birds which eat only plants and fruits, help to disperse seeds. They are a very important part of our ecosystem and the food chain.

How are birds important to the environment?

Birds disperse seeds. These seeds grow into new plants. This helps the environment to spread beautifully.

What are the characteristics of birds?

Related posts:.

Essay on My Favorite Bird

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Favorite Bird in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Favorite Bird

Introduction.

My favorite bird is the peacock, a beautiful creature known for its vibrant colors and majestic display of feathers.

Peacocks are large and colorful. Their long, extravagant tail feathers, which fan out in a dazzling display, are their most noticeable feature.

Peacocks are known for their unique dances. They spread their feathers and shake them to attract a mate, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

Significance

In many cultures, peacocks symbolize beauty, grace, and pride. They are also the national bird of India, signifying its rich biodiversity.

250 Words Essay on My Favorite Bird

The avian kingdom is a vibrant tapestry of colors, sounds, and behaviors, each species possessing its own unique allure. Among this diverse array, my favorite bird is the majestic Bald Eagle, a symbol of strength and freedom.

Physical Attributes

The Bald Eagle, contrary to its name, is not bald. Its name originates from an old English term, ‘balde’, meaning white, referring to the eagle’s white head contrasting with its dark brown body. With a wingspan ranging from 1.8 to 2.3 meters, the Bald Eagle is a sight to behold in flight.

Symbolic Significance

The Bald Eagle is not merely a bird; it is a symbol of power and freedom. Its image graces the national seal of the United States, signifying the country’s commitment to liberty and strength. The bird’s ability to soar high in the sky is often seen as a metaphor for the human spirit’s ability to rise above challenges.

Behavioral Traits

Bald Eagles are known for their remarkable hunting skills. They possess keen eyesight, which allows them to spot prey from a great distance. Moreover, they exhibit strong monogamous behavior, sticking with one mate for life, a trait that human society often aspires to emulate.

Conservation Efforts

Once on the brink of extinction, the Bald Eagle is a testament to successful conservation efforts. Its recovery from the endangered species list serves as a beacon of hope for other threatened species.

500 Words Essay on My Favorite Bird

Birds, in all their diversity, offer a riot of colors, songs, and behaviors that captivate all who take the time to observe them. Among all the avian species, my favorite has to be the majestic and enigmatic raven.

The Raven’s Appearance

The raven, a member of the Corvidae family, is a large, all-black bird, boasting a glossy coat that can sometimes shimmer with an iridescent blue or purple hue under sunlight. Its robust, sharp beak and intense, intelligent eyes add to its striking presence. The raven’s aesthetic appeal is not merely superficial; it is a testament to its resilience and adaptability, enabling it to survive in a wide range of habitats, from snowy mountain peaks to arid deserts and bustling cities.

Intelligence and Adaptability

Social structure and communication.

Ravens have complex social structures. They form strong pair bonds and often stay with the same partner for life. Their social interactions are not limited to their partners, as they also form alliances with other ravens and engage in cooperative activities. Ravens communicate through a wide variety of vocalizations, each carrying a unique message. Their ‘vocabulary’ ranges from gentle coos to harsh, grating calls, and even mimicked sounds.

The Raven in Culture and Mythology

The raven holds a significant place in various cultures and mythologies. In Native American folklore, the raven is seen as a trickster, symbolizing transformation and change. In Norse mythology, Odin, the god of wisdom, had two ravens – Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory) – who flew across the world, gathering information. This cultural significance adds another layer of intrigue to this fascinating bird.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Vishal's account

Essay On If I Were a Bird – 10 Lines, Short and Long Essay for Children and Students

Key Points to Remember When Writing an Essay “If I Were a Bird”

10 lines on if i were a bird, paragraph on if i were a bird, short essay on if i were a bird in english, long essay on if i were a bird, what will your child learn from the “if i were a bird” essay.

From time to time, we all wish we could escape the boundaries of our everyday lives and soar high into the sky, free from our worldly worries. Such is the imaginative exercise we invite young minds to embark upon when considering writing an If I Were a Bird essay in English. This form of essay writing stimulates young writers’ creativity and helps enhance their expressive abilities. Writing essays, especially on topics that stretch the imagination, plays a pivotal role in the academic curriculum. This essay for students and children provides an avenue to explore the realms of fantasy while also improving  language  and writing skills.

Writing an essay that delves deep into one’s imagination, especially on a topic as whimsical as “If I Were a Bird,” can be both fun and challenging. It’s crucial to harness your creativity while ensuring your essay remains structured and engaging. Here are some key points to remember:

• Stay Imaginative:  This essay’s essence lies in its dreamy nature. Let your imagination wander, picturing the world from a bird’s perspective.
• Sensory Descriptions:  Birds experience the world differently than humans. Describe the feeling of the wind beneath your wings, the panoramic view from the sky, and the exhilaration of flight.
• Include Challenges:  While a bird’s life might seem idyllic, it’s not without its challenges. Highlighting these aspects can add depth to your essay, whether escaping predators, enduring harsh weather, or finding food.
• Draw Comparisons:  To make your essay relatable, compare a bird’s life to a human’s. This can help readers understand the stark differences and subtle similarities.
• Use Varied Vocabulary:  The beauty of this essay topic is that it provides an opportunity to use a rich and varied vocabulary. Words like “soar,” “glide,” “nest,” and “flutter” can bring your essay to life.
• Personal Reflections:  Infuse your essay with personal reflections. Would you prefer the life of a bird to a human’s? Why or why not?
• Conclude Thoughtfully:  As with any essay, a strong conclusion is essential. Sum up your feelings and thoughts about being a bird and tie them back to the human experience.

For our youngest learners in classes 1, 2, and 3, writing essays can be a delightful exercise in expanding their imaginative horizons. To give them a starting point, here are a few lines on If I Were a Bird, structured as a simple essay for class 1, 2, and 3 students.

1. If I were a bird, I would spread my wings wide and soar into the blue sky.

2. I’d sing melodious songs to greet the rising sun every morning.

3. I’d build a cosy nest high up in a tree, away from all dangers.

4. As a bird, I’d travel to different places and see the world’s beauty from above.

5. During the day, I’d play with my fellow birds, chasing each other in the sky.

6. Finding food would be an adventure, hopping from branch to branch looking for worms and insects.

7. I’d feel the raindrops on my feathers and dance in the joy of a fresh downpour.

8. I’d watch the sunset in the evening, painting the sky with its golden hues.

9. At night, under the starry sky, I’d dream of all the places I would visit the next day.

10. Being a bird would be magical, but I’d also remember to cherish my life as a human.

Delving deeper into the theme beyond just a few lines allows one to truly embody the experience of being a bird. This exercise involves enumerating qualities or actions and understanding the essence of flight and freedom.

If I were a bird, my life would be a symphony of songs and a dance of colours in the sky. The endless blue would be my playground, and the tall trees would be my home. I’d revel in the sensation of the wind rustling my feathers, propelling me higher into the vast expanse. No borders, no boundaries—just pure, unadulterated freedom. Each day would be a new adventure, discovering hidden lakes or flying alongside a  rainbow  after a drizzle. But with this freedom would also come challenges: the need to find food, escape from predators, and face nature’s unpredictability. Yet, the sky would be mine through it all, and I’d find adventure and peace in its vastness.

The realm of imagination is boundless, and one of its most enchanting hypotheticals is the idea of being a creature of the skies. When we dream of being a bird, we dream of freedom, perspective, and a life lived on our terms. Let’s explore this thought with a short essay.

If I were a bird, my days would begin with the first light of dawn, perched on a tree branch, serenading the world with a song. With its vastness and ever-changing hues, the sky would be my canvas. As I spread my wings, I felt a rush of air guiding me above towns, cities, forests, and seas. I’d witness the world, from the city’s bustling streets to the beauty of nature’s untouched corners.

By migrating with the seasons, I’d experience different cultures, climates, and geographies. There would be no barriers to where I could go—no mountains too high or oceans too vast. Each day would be an exploration, an adventure. But it wouldn’t all be about freedom and flight; it would also be about survival, understanding the delicate balance of nature, and the connections that bind all living beings together.

In this imagined life, I would be a spectator and an active participant in the world’s grand theatre, learning the true essence of life, freedom, and interconnectedness.

The ability to dream and imagine is one of humanity’s most profound gifts. Dreaming of being something other than human allows us to step out of our comfort zones, view the world with fresh eyes, and reflect on our existence. This essay takes flight with the fascinating concept of being one of the most ethereal creatures on earth—a bird.

If I were a bird, I would soar through the skies, experiencing the world from a perspective few ever truly understand. The freedom to glide effortlessly above the landscape, feeling the wind beneath my wings, would be exhilarating. I could explore the farthest corners of the earth, from towering mountains to serene lakes, all while embracing the beauty of nature in its purest form.

Significance of Birds

Birds, with their myriad colours, shapes, and sizes, are not just beautiful creatures but are pivotal for the balance of our ecosystem. These winged wonders are crucial in seed dispersal, helping plants spread and grow. They control pests by feeding on  insects , maintaining a balance in nature. Birds, like the canary in a coal mine, are also indicators of environmental health, signalling changes in air quality or the presence of pollutants. Their migrations, patterns, and behaviours provide valuable insights into  climate change , guiding us in understanding the shifts and transformations of our planet. Furthermore, their songs and calls have been a source of joy and comfort for many, connecting us deeply to the rhythms of nature.

What Would I Like to Do If I Were a Bird?

If I were a bird, there are several things I would love to do, taking full advantage of my newfound freedom and unique perspective:

• Witness Sunrises and Sunsets:  Perched on the highest branches or soaring above the clouds, I’d have the privilege of witnessing the first and last rays of the sun, bathing the earth in golden hues.
• Explore Uncharted Territories:  From dense rainforests to arctic tundras, I travel far and wide, experiencing our world’s diverse landscapes and cultures.
• Make Friends with Different Species:  Birds often interact with other animals. I’d love to engage with  dolphins  as I fly low over the oceans or playfully chase squirrels in a park.
• Dance in the Rain:  With wings wide open, I’d embrace the monsoon showers, feeling each droplet and enjoying nature’s refreshing embrace.
• Sing Songs of Freedom:  Without inhibitions, I’d sing melodies reflecting my mood, joy, melancholy, or excitement.
• Build a Nest:  I’d create a cosy abode using twigs, leaves, and feathers, where I could experience the joys of parenthood and the cycle of life.

How to Save Birds?

While dreaming of being a bird is poetic, it’s also essential to acknowledge the threats they face in the real world. Deforestation and climate change have adversely affected their habitats. Here are steps to safeguard them:

• Preserve Habitats:  We must champion the cause of preserving  forests , wetlands, and other natural habitats where birds live and breed.
• Reduce Pesticides and Chemicals: These not only kill the insects birds feed on but can be directly toxic to the birds themselves (1) .
• Limit Window Collisions: Putting stickers or other visual markers on large windows can prevent birds from flying into them (2) .
• Support Bird-Friendly Initiatives:  Support organisations working for bird conservation through donations, volunteer work, or awareness campaigns.
• Educate and Spread Awareness:  Knowledge is the first step to change. Educate yourself and others about the importance of birds and how to protect them.

If I were a bird, my life would be a tapestry of adventure, freedom, and unparalleled beauty. From soaring high above the earth to discovering hidden corners of nature, the experiences would be exhilarating and enlightening.

Engaging with the “If I Were a Bird” essay allows your child to unlock the doors of imagination, encouraging them to view the world from diverse perspectives. Beyond just creativity, it instils empathy by placing them in another creature’s shoes (or wings), fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature and the interconnectedness of all life. This essay also subtly introduces them to environmental concerns, prompting early awareness and responsibility towards our planet.

1. What are the names of some singing birds?

Some renowned singing birds include the Nightingale, Canary, American Robin, Song Thrush, and Mockingbird. These birds are celebrated for melodious calls and songs that often grace the early mornings and evenings (3) .

2. What are some quotes on “If I Were a Bird”?

• “If I were a bird, I only fly away. I don’t know where my soul is. I don’t know where my home is”.
• “This Is Wonderful, Wonderful! Be the Bird. You Are the Bird. Sacrifice Yourself to Abandoned Family Values”.

In delving into the imaginative landscape of “If I Were a Bird,” we explore the freedom and beauty of avian life and touch upon our responsibilities toward these winged wonders. Through such essays, we’re reminded of the delicate balance of nature and the significant role every creature, including us, plays in maintaining it.

References/Resources:

1. Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds; Cornell University; https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/seven-simple-actions-to-help-birds/

2. Sentner. R; 22 Actions You Can Take for Birds; National Audubon Society; https://www.audubon.org/news/22-actions-you-can-take-birds

3. songbird; Britannica; https://www.britannica.com/animal/songbird

Fun & Amazing Bird Facts for Kids Bird Species That Make the Smartest Pets Essay On Birds – 10 Lines, Short and Long Essay

• RELATED ARTICLES
• MORE FROM AUTHOR

What Is Your Child's Learning Style? Find Out & Boost Your Little One's Brain Development!

Tips to Teach Simile to Kids with Examples

Amazing Bee Facts for Kids

Facts and Information About the Planet Mars for Kids

World Environment Day - Interesting Facts and Activities for Kids

Fun Chameleon Facts for Kids

Popular on parenting.

245 Rare Boy & Girl Names with Meanings

Top 22 Short Moral Stories For Kids

170 Boy & Girl Names That Mean 'Gift from God'

800+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls

Latest posts.

Avengers Coloring Pages - Free Printable Pages For Kids

Spring Songs for Preschoolers and Kids to Celebrate the Season

20 Things to Do in Philadelphia With Kids

Pikachu Coloring Pages - Free Printable Pages For Kids

It’s Time to Start Taking Mpox and Bird Flu Seriously

It’s been a bad month for public health.

On August 14, the World Health Organization declared mpox as an international health emergency , given the “unprecedented” spread of a new, more deadly variant . In the United States, bird flu, formally known as H5N1, has spread to 10 agricultural workers in Colorado, an alarming development since only three other cases have been reported this year.

Mpox and bird flu are distinct infectious diseases; however, they have been united by assumptions that containment is easily achievable and thus a complacent public health response. Indeed, almost 100,000 people got infected with mpox after the 2022 outbreak, and while the disease shrinked away from public view, mpox continued to spread and evolve into deadlier variants. Similarly, while bird flu first jumped into mammals around the same time in 2022, the response in the U.S. was anemic with little consistent messaging or concrete action.

This is part of a larger inertia around infectious diseases—one we believe is driven by two key factors.

First, public health leaders have grown overly cautious after the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing how bold efforts to contain the pandemic were met with anti-science aggression, populist outrage, relentless lawsuits, and at least 30 states limiting public health powers . The impending U.S. elections have added to the polarization and disinformation. As such, instead of proactive action, we are seeing trepidation.

Second, there is a sense that another pandemic cannot happen so soon after COVID-19—that these infectious diseases will inevitably burn themselves out like before. This is a “gambler’s fallacy,” and because of it, the U.S. may be underestimating the risks posed by mpox and bird flu, allowing two potential pandemics to brew on the global stage.

This has manifested in several failures for both diseases. For instance, the U.S. saw 1800 mpox cases between October 2023 and April 2024, while the more dangerous Clade 1b variant, which combines efficient sexual transmission with high mortality , started to spread in Africa. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stopped updating their mpox outbreak case count in January , downplaying this added threat since case counts were not yet increasing. The CDC restarted the public reporting in May, suggesting its discontinuation may have been overly expedient and optimistic.

Our mpox global health response mirrors such underestimation and delayed action. On August 7, the U.S. announced that it was donating 50,000 vaccines to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, almost a year after Clade 1b was first reported there. For reference, Africa CDC estimates it needs 10 million doses to control the current outbreak on the continent. In 2022, the U.S. failed to tackle mpox while it was confined to Africa, dragging its feet until the disease was spreading uncontrollably at home; we are seeing history repeat itself in 2024.

Read More: Health Experts are Watching a More Dangerous Version of Mpox

For bird flu, the mortality rate can be as high as 52% , given WHO case data. But as the New York Times noted , “Only recently has the [CDC] begun to mobilize real funding for a testing push, after a period of months in which various federal groups batted around responsibility and ultimate authority like a hot potato.” In the U.S., ignorance is bliss, with our public health leaders rolling the dice that this too shall pass.

So, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) detected bird flu in cattle four months after it happened, or that the agency has not required routine testing of cattle (unless they cross state lines) nor vaccination of farmworkers . While decisions to leave these programs voluntary are multifactorial, they are likely influenced by political reticence after COVID-19 and recent Supreme Court rulings striking down vaccination requirements.

To be clear, the pandemic risk of mpox or bird flu is currently low. The transmission dynamics of mpox, requiring very close contact , make it more difficult to spread than SARS-CoV-2. Similarly, cases of bird flu have thus far been mild and limited in number. However, these are not absolute truths, but day-by-day assessments, which require real preparedness—measured in testing, ongoing surveillance, and forward planning.

We have no easy answers for overcoming public health paralysis. But at minimum, the U.S. needs better public health communication that not only emphasizes transparency but also holds our leaders accountable. Bringing this COVID-19-era lesson to mpox and bird flu is one way to give Americans a new, positive memory of public health, fostering early, decisive action and realistic risk assessments.

With two rapidly evolving outbreaks, we cannot afford trepidation and false optimism. And, even as we work to make the U.S. safer, we cannot forget our global obligations to share vaccines, medicines, and resources. Global crises require global solidarity and collective action.

More Must-Reads from TIME

• Breaking Down the 2024 Election Calendar
• Heman Bekele Is TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year
• The Reintroduction of Kamala Harris
• What a $129 Frying Pan Says About America’s Eating Habits
• A Battle Over Fertility Law in China
• The 1 Heart-Health Habit You Should Start When You’re Young
• Cuddling Might Help You Get Better Sleep
• The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now

Contact us at [email protected]

• National Politics

How birds get their colors. A visual guide to your brilliantly hued, winged friends.

Birds boast some of the most vibrant colors among terrestrial animals.

Our pretty avian friends have inspired our Democrat and Chronicle photographers for years and captured the imaginations of many who live along the shore of Lake Ontario.

Yes, the tropics are often renowned for the brightest birds, but U.S. birds also display a wide array of striking hues. But just how colorful are our American birds?  

Our network analyzed over 500 photographs of bird species provided by the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology , whose extensive media collection helps researchers identify and study color abnormalities and rare bird colors. The species were chosen based on data from Project FeederWatch, a citizen science program run by the Cornell Lab, which allows people to submit sightings of birds they've seen locally.

Using a machine learning algorithm, we determined the dominant color of each bird photo. 

Let's take a look at the American kestrel, one of the smallest and most colorful falcons in the U.S. It can be spotted all over the country, soaring over open expanses while looking for insects to eat. Running the photo through a machine learning algorithm resulted in this color palette for the bird.

The machine learning model determined that the dominant color for this bird is dark gray, which means this color group contained the most pixels. We ran this same analysis for all 559 bird species, resulting in a rainbow of colors representing U.S. birds.

It's important to mention that the dominant color we got depends on the lighting of the photo, the time of year it was taken, the sex of the bird and its age.

Avian colors do more than just captivate human spectators. They also serve utilitarian purposes, indicating overall environmental quality and playing important roles in a bird's survival and courtship behavior.

“Birds are sentinels of the environment,” said Allison Shultz , the associate curator of ornithology at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County in California. 

"The artist in me is what really fell in love with bird colors," Shultz said, "but it was the biologist in me that discovered why they're so important and that they're actually worth studying." 

How do birds get their colors?   

Understanding bird coloration combines biology and physics. There are two primary ways that birds get their color: pigmentation and the physical structure of the feather – sometimes a combination of both.  

Pigments are the chemical substances in animal and plant cells that impart color, absorb and reflect certain wavelengths of light. 

Birds acquire some pigments, such as carotenoids, by eating fruits, seeds, or insects. Carotenoids produce the bright reds, yellows, and oranges seen in birds, and they are the same pigments that give carrots and pumpkins their signature color. 

The other way birds acquire their appearance is through structural colors, which result from the interaction of light with the microscopic structures in feathers. Tiny air bubbles within the feather refract and scatter light, creating vibrant colors for us to perceive.

Picture the surface of a soap bubble or a rainbow-like oil slick. These phenomena, along with morpho butterflies’ brilliant blue wings, are examples of structural colors at play. 

The northern cardinal , a classic red bird, has pigment in its feathers that absorbs all but the red wavelengths, which are then reflected to us. 

Carotenoid-based colors are often used as an indicator of a male bird’s quality, Shultz said. Brighter colors are frequently associated with superior genes , stronger immune systems and higher reproductive success.  

This concept, known as “redder is better,” reflects the idea that brighter birds make for better mates, said Richard Prum , an evolutionary ornithologist who teaches at Yale University. However, Prum disagrees and says the concept is a problematic way of "taking beauty in the world and turning it into utility.” 

While several North American birds exhibit apparent green plumage, turacos, native to sub-Saharan Africa, stand out as the only birds that are truly green . Unlike other species, turacos owe their color to a copper-based pigment called turacoverdin. 

The common grackle and many shimmering hummingbirds display iridescence like the way a prism splits light into a rainbow. Their iridescent feathers change color depending on the viewing angle, adding to the allure.   

Colors of a bird 

While bird species dazzle with myriad colors, a single bird usually has several colors itself, which our color palettes above don’t capture.  

The colors that birds have boil down to evolutionary trade-offs and selective pressures, Prum said.  

The strongest pressure is what drives a bird’s feathers to be a certain way, Shultz said, whether it’s to impress a mate, blend into the environment, or stay cool in a hot place. 

While bright colors can be great for social and sexual signaling, they’re not as helpful for avoiding predators.  

Bright pops of color tend to be signaling colors used for social interactions. It can be a way of saying, “Join my flock. We're members of the same flock,” Prum said.  

For this reason, these vibrant spots often appear on a bird’s crown, throat, or breast – areas that face other birds, Shultz said. A bird’s back is typically darker and more cryptic, aiding in camouflage. This adaptation, known as countershading , helps the bird blend in and avoid drawing attention to itself. 

Male ruby-crowned kinglets, for example, can flash a scarlet-red crown when excited or keep it concealed when needed.  

Feathers containing melanin are stronger, Shultz said, which is why birds often have dark wing feathers to aid them in flight. 

Do colors change?

Even within the same species, color can vary by age, season and sex.  

Birds undergo molting, the process of shedding old feathers and growing new ones, which can result in color transformations. Most birds experience an annual molt, typically after the breeding season, Shultz said, but species like American goldfinches replace their feathers twice a year.  

“If you're looking at birds in certain times of year when they're molting, they might look a little bit scraggly,” Shultz said. “That's just because they're growing new feathers.” 

Molting helps birds maintain optimal feather condition for flight and allows them to replace worn-out feathers and remove parasites, Prum said. 

Young birds might also look different than their older counterparts. That’s because it takes time for birds to signal sexual maturity. Most songbirds reach this state after one year, but bald eagles can take as long as five years to attain full adult plumage. 

Males and females can have varying appearances – a phenomenon called sexual dimorphism. Females tend to be drabber because they have different ecological and social behavioral needs, although sometimes, the two sexes look identical, as seen in blue jays.  

How do birds see colors?

As colorful as birds are to the human eye, we’re actually “colorblind with respect to birds,” Prum said. That’s because birds see an even wider gamut of colors than humans can.  

“Birds are living in a much more vibrant and colorful world than we are,” Shultz said. 

Humans have three types of cones in our eyes for red, green and blue light. Birds have an added type of cone that allows them to see ultraviolet light.  

In addition to seeing a broader spectrum of colors, birds can also detect finer differences between them. That means birds can distinguish subtle nuances in shades of green that are not perceptible to us. 

“Everybody always asks me, ‘Could you make bird vision goggles?’” Shultz said. “And really, we can't because our brains are just not set up to neurologically process that type of information.” 

Curious to learn more about the birds you've seen in this story? Click on a color to find out.

Contributing: Javier Zarracina

Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Digital Library , Getty Images .

Methodology: Photos were manually selected to find images of birds in a similar pose, with good lighting and for overall quality. The background was removed from all photos and each photo was run through the K-means algorithm to get the dominant color. K-means works by dividing the colors of a bird into distinct groups, or 'clusters' to find the most representative colors. Each pixel's color is then assigned to the nearest cluster center. The cluster with the most pixels becomes the dominant color.

• Environment
• Science & Technology
• Business & Industry
• Health & Public Welfare
• Topics (CFR Indexing Terms)
• Public Inspection
• Presidential Documents
• Document Search
• Advanced Document Search
• Public Inspection Search
• Reader Aids Home
• Office of the Federal Register Announcements
• Using FederalRegister.Gov
• Understanding the Federal Register
• Recent Site Updates
• Federal Register & CFR Statistics
• Videos & Tutorials
• Developer Resources
• Government Policy and OFR Procedures
• Congressional Review
• My Clipboard
• My Comments
• My Subscriptions
• Sign In / Sign Up
• Site Feedback
• Search the Federal Register

This site displays a prototype of a “Web 2.0” version of the daily Federal Register. It is not an official legal edition of the Federal Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official electronic version on GPO’s govinfo.gov.

The documents posted on this site are XML renditions of published Federal Register documents. Each document posted on the site includes a link to the corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. This prototype edition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial informational resource until the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. For complete information about, and access to, our official publications and services, go to About the Federal Register on NARA's archives.gov.

The OFR/GPO partnership is committed to presenting accurate and reliable regulatory information on FederalRegister.gov with the objective of establishing the XML-based Federal Register as an ACFR-sanctioned publication in the future. While every effort has been made to ensure that the material on FederalRegister.gov is accurately displayed, consistent with the official SGML-based PDF version on govinfo.gov, those relying on it for legal research should verify their results against an official edition of the Federal Register. Until the ACFR grants it official status, the XML rendition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov does not provide legal notice to the public or judicial notice to the courts.

Design Updates: As part of our ongoing effort to make FederalRegister.gov more accessible and easier to use we've enlarged the space available to the document content and moved all document related data into the utility bar on the left of the document. Read more in our feature announcement .

Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 2024-25 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

A Rule by the Fish and Wildlife Service on 08/26/2024

This document has been published in the Federal Register . Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format.

• Document Details Published Content - Document Details Agencies Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Agency/Docket Numbers Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113 FXMB1231099BPP0-245-FF09M32000 CFR 50 CFR 20 Document Citation 89 FR 68500 Document Number 2024-18864 Document Type Rule Pages 68500-68534 (35 pages) Publication Date 08/26/2024 RIN 1018-BG63 Published Content - Document Details
• View printed version (PDF)
• Document Dates Published Content - Document Dates Effective Date 08/26/2024 Dates Text This rule takes effect on August 26, 2024. Published Content - Document Dates

This table of contents is a navigational tool, processed from the headings within the legal text of Federal Register documents. This repetition of headings to form internal navigation links has no substantive legal effect.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Supplementary information:, process for establishing annual migratory game bird hunting regulations, population status and harvest, review of public comments and flyway council recommendations, a. general harvest strategy, atlantic flyway, mississippi and central flyways, pacific flyway, b. regulatory alternatives, d. special seasons/species management, i. early teal seasons, ii. early teal-wood duck seasons, iii. black ducks, iv. canvasbacks, v. pintails, ix. eastern mallards, 4. canada and cackling geese, b. regular seasons, 5. white-fronted geese, 9. sandhill cranes, required determinations, national environmental policy act (nepa) consideration, endangered species act consideration, regulatory planning and review—executive orders 12866, 13563, and 14094, regulatory flexibility act, congressional review act, paperwork reduction act, unfunded mandates reform act, civil justice reform— executive order 12988, takings implication assessment— executive order 12630, energy effects— executive order 13211, government-to-government relationship with tribes, federalism effects— executive order 13132, signing authority, list of subjects in 50 cfr part 20, final regulatory frameworks for 2024-25 hunting seasons on certain migratory game birds, table of contents, a. flyways and management units, 1. waterfowl flyways, 2. mallard management units, 3. mourning dove management units, 4. woodcock management regions, b. definitions, c. migratory game bird seasons in the atlantic flyway, ii. season frameworks, a. special youth and veterans-active military personnel waterfowl hunting days, b. special early teal seasons, c. special early teal-wood duck seasons, d. duck, merganser, coot, and goose seasons, 1. atlantic flyway, a. duck, merganser, and coot seasons, b. special early canada and cackling goose seasons, c. dark goose seasons, d. light goose seasons, e. brant seasons, 2. mississippi flyway, b. canada and cackling goose seasons, c. white-fronted goose seasons, d. brant seasons, e. dark goose seasons, f. light goose seasons, 3. central flyway, a. ducks, merganser, and coot seasons, c. canada goose, cackling goose, and brant seasons, d. white-fronted goose seasons, e. light goose seasons, 4. pacific flyway, a. duck, merganser, coot, and gallinule seasons, b. goose seasons, i. special early canada and cackling goose seasons, ii. canada goose, cackling goose, and brant seasons, iii. brant seasons, iv. white-fronted goose seasons, v. light goose seasons, e. swan seasons, 1. pacific flyway, 2. atlantic and central flyways, f. sandhill crane seasons, 1. mississippi flyway, 2. central flyway, 3. central and pacific flyways, g. gallinule seasons, 1. atlantic, mississippi, and central flyways, 2. pacific flyway, h. rail seasons, i. snipe seasons, j. american woodcock seasons, k. band-tailed pigeon seasons, 1. california, oregon, washington, and nevada, 2. arizona, colorado, new mexico, and utah, l. dove seasons, 1. eastern management unit, 2. central management unit, a. all states except texas, i. special white-winged dove season in texas, 3. western management unit, a. idaho, nevada, oregon, utah, and washington, b. arizona and california, 1. duck, goose, sandhill crane, and snipe seasons, 2. tundra swan seasons, 1. mourning dove seasons, o. puerto rico, 1. dove and pigeon seasons, 2. duck, coot, gallinule, and snipe seasons, p. virgin islands, 2. duck seasons, q. special falconry regulations, iii. area, unit, and zone descriptions, a. ducks (including mergansers) and coots, connecticut, massachusetts, new hampshire, north carolina, pennsylvania, colorado (central flyway portion), montana (central flyway portion), new mexico (central flyway portion), north dakota, south dakota, wyoming (central flyway portion), colorado (pacific flyway portion), wyoming (pacific flyway portion), early canada and cackling goose seasons, regular seasons, rhode island, south carolina, light geese, wyoming (central flyway portion), canada and cackling geese and brant, white-fronted geese, new mexico (pacific flyway portion), 1. central flyway, montana (pacific flyway portion), mississippi, f. band-tailed pigeons, g. american woodcock, h. sandhill cranes, 3. pacific flyway, i. all migratory game birds in alaska, j. all migratory game birds in the virgin islands, k. all migratory game birds in puerto rico.

This feature is not available for this document.

Additional information is not currently available for this document.

• Sharing Enhanced Content - Sharing Shorter Document URL https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-18864 Email Email this document to a friend Enhanced Content - Sharing
• Print this document

Document page views are updated periodically throughout the day and are cumulative counts for this document. Counts are subject to sampling, reprocessing and revision (up or down) throughout the day.

This document is also available in the following formats:

More information and documentation can be found in our developer tools pages .

This PDF is the current document as it appeared on Public Inspection on 08/22/2024 at 11:15 am.

It was viewed 3 times while on Public Inspection.

If you are using public inspection listings for legal research, you should verify the contents of the documents against a final, official edition of the Federal Register. Only official editions of the Federal Register provide legal notice of publication to the public and judicial notice to the courts under 44 U.S.C. 1503 & 1507 . Learn more here .

Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following:

• the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
• the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to
• the agency docket number / agency internal file number
• the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details.

Department of the Interior

Fish and wildlife service.

• 50 CFR Part 20
• [Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113; FXMB1231099BPP0-245-FF09M32000
• RIN 1018-BG63

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

Final rule.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is establishing the final frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2024-25 migratory game bird hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (which we call frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.

This rule takes effect on August 26, 2024.

States should send their season selections to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. You may inspect comments received on the migratory bird hunting regulations at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113. You may obtain copies of referenced reports from the street address above, or from the Division of Migratory Bird Management's website at http://www.fws.gov/​migratorybirds/​ , or at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113.

Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, (703) 358-2606. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.

The process for promulgating annual regulations for the hunting of migratory game birds involves the publication of a series of proposed and final rulemaking documents. We provided a detailed overview of the current process in the August 3, 2017, Federal Register ( 82 FR 36308 ). This final rule is the third in a series of proposed and final rules that establish regulations for the 2024-25 migratory game bird hunting season in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

On February 8, 2024, we published in the Federal Register ( 89 FR 8631 ) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20 . The proposal provided a background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for hunting migratory game birds under §§ 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the regulations development process for the 2024-25 hunting season relating to open public meetings and Federal Register notifications were illustrated in the diagram at the end of the February 8, 2024, proposed rule.

Further, in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule we explained that sections of subsequent documents outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines would be organized under numbered headings, which were set forth in that proposed rule (see 89 FR 8631 ). This document refers only to numbered items requiring attention and omits those items not requiring attention. Therefore, the numbered items are discontinuous, and the list appears incomplete.

We provided the meeting dates and locations for the Service Regulations Committee (SRC) on our website at https://www.fws.gov/​event/​us-fish-and-wildlife-service-migratory-bird-regulations-committee-meeting and Flyway Council meetings on Flyway calendars posted on our website at https://www.fws.gov/​partner/​migratory-bird-program-administrative-flyways . The February 8, 2024, proposed rule provided detailed information on the proposed 2024-25 regulatory schedule. The SRC conducted an open meeting with the Flyway Council Consultants on May 31, 2023, to discuss preliminary issues for the 2024-25 regulations, and on October 10, 2023, to review information on the current status of migratory game birds and develop recommendations for the 2024-25 regulations for these species.

On May 13, 2024, we published in the Federal Register ( 89 FR 41522 ) the proposed regulatory frameworks for the 2024-25 migratory game bird hunting season. We have considered all pertinent comments received, which includes comments submitted in response to our February 8 and May 13 proposed rulemaking documents and comments from the May and October SRC meetings. This document establishes final regulatory frameworks for the 2024-25 migratory game bird hunting season and includes no substantive changes from the May 13, 2024, proposed rule. In this final rule, as a reader aid, we present a table of contents and apply outline formatting to the final frameworks; this was our approach in last year's 2023-24 final frameworks rule ( 88 FR 54830 ; August 11, 2023) and is a nonsubstantive change. We will publish State season selections in the Federal Register as amendments to §§ 20.101 through 20.107 and 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.

Each year, we publish reports that provide detailed information on the status and harvest of certain migratory game bird species. These reports are available at the address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our website at https://www.fws.gov/​library/​collections/​population-status , https://www.fws.gov/​library/​collections/​migratory-bird-hunting-activity-and-harvest-reports , and https://www.fws.gov/​project/​adaptive-harvest-management .

We used the following annual reports published in August 2023 in the development of these regulatory frameworks for the migratory bird hunting season:

• Adaptive Harvest Management, 2024 Hunting Season;
• American Woodcock Population Status, 2023;
• Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2023;
• Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and Harvest During the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 Hunting Seasons;
• Mourning Dove Population Status, 2023;
• Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain, Lower Colorado River Valley and Eastern Populations, 2023; and ( print page 68501)
• Waterfowl Population Status, 2023.

Our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds. Having taken into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory birds, we conclude that the final hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information received during the public comment period.

The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the February 8, 2024, Federal Register , opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations and described the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2024-25 duck hunting season. Comments and recommendations were summarized and numbered in the order set forth in the February 8, 2024, preliminary proposed rule (see 89 FR 8631 ) and published in the May 13, 2024, proposed rule (see 89 FR 41522 ). The public comments received from the May 13, 2024, proposed rule are summarized with Service responses below.

We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils at the May and October SRC meetings; all recommendations are from the October meeting unless otherwise noted. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are summarized below. As explained earlier in this document, we have included only the numbered items pertaining to issues for which we received recommendations. Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical order.

Written Comment: Several commenters protested the entire migratory bird hunting regulations process and the killing of all migratory birds and questioned the status and habitat data on which the migratory bird hunting regulations are based.

Service Response: As we indicated above under Population Status and Harvest, our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Sustaining migratory bird populations and ensuring a variety of sustainable uses, including harvest, is consistent with the guiding principles by which migratory birds are to be managed under the conventions between the United States and several foreign nations for the protection and management of these birds. We have taken into account available information and considered public comments and continue to conclude that the hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. In regard to the regulations process, the Flyway Council system of migratory bird management has been a longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952 in the regulation development process and bird population and habitat monitoring. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to streamline and improve the process and ensure adequate conservation of the resource.

Written Comment: One commenter expressed their support for adaptive harvest management (AHM) and the collaborative Flyway Council system process and stated that after reviewing the proposed rules and the supporting documents, they believe that the Service has conducted a thorough analysis of the current status of migratory bird populations and has recommended suitable hunting regulations for the 2024-25 hunting season.

Service Response: We appreciate this commenter's support.

Written Comment: One commenter expressed that they do not agree with the Service's proposals because giving any State the power to select the season dates, limits, etc., as well as when people can hunt birds or wildlife in general, will give States too much power and make it harder to get accurate information. This raises, for example, questions about who will conduct the basic checks and balances needed to ensure the State is not providing the wrong statistics or making an animal go extinct or become rare.

Service Response: As indicated in earlier proposed rules for the 2024-25 hunting season, we establish the Federal limits from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2024-25 migratory game bird hunting season. These limits are determined annually based on numerous dedicated monitoring programs on migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. The limits are determined to be appropriate based on our legal mandates and objectives for migratory bird population sustainability and providing hunting opportunities. Our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. We have taken into account available information and considered public comments, and we continue to conclude that the maximum limits for hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals, and in agreement with our long-standing cooperative and productive relationships with the flyways and the States. Federal limits, regardless of State season selection within these limits, are necessary to allow hunting opportunities and harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.

Written Comment: One commenter questioned why the Service concurred with the Mississippi and Central Flyway Council recommendation for the liberal regulatory alternative for the 2024-25 duck hunting season in the Mississippi and Central Flyways given the commenter's concerns about declining mallard populations and duck harvest estimates.

Service Response: The optimal regulatory alternative for the Mississippi and Central Flyway duck hunting season is based on the status and demographics of mid-continent mallards and habitat conditions (pond numbers in Prairie Canada and the United States).

We detailed an AHM protocol for mid-continent mallards in the July 24, 2008, Federal Register ( 73 FR 43290 ), which was developed cooperatively with the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils. The objectives of the protocol are to ensure the long-term health and ( print page 68502) sustainability of the mid-continent mallard population as required by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA; 16 U.S.C. 703-712 ) and to provide hunting opportunities for the American public. The protocol accounts for variable habitat conditions ( i.e., precipitation, pond abundance) and population dynamics over the long term and uses the most current monitoring data to update our understanding of mallard demographics and the effects of harvest on the population.

We learn and apply any new information annually by comparing model predictions with observations obtained through long-term monitoring programs ( e.g., Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey) and by using the resulting information to update model parameters. The updated model parameters are then used to determine optimal harvest levels and inform subsequent regulatory decisions.

Through this process, managers have gained increased understanding of the effects of harvest on the mid-continent mallard population and sustainable levels of harvest. Implementation of AHM since 1995 indicates mallard populations can support harvest levels not anticipated prior to the implementation of AHM. The optimal choice for the 2024 duck hunting season in the Mississippi and Central Flyways is the liberal regulatory alternative based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2023 hunting season, an observed breeding population size of 6.22 million mid-continent mallards, and 4.98 million total ponds observed in Prairie Canada and the United States.

The Service continues to work with the four Flyway Councils to cooperatively develop harvest strategies that provide harvest opportunity while ensuring sustainable populations of hunted migratory birds.

Written Comment: We received a comment from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Division of Resource Management (Band), in Minnesota regarding wild rice harvesting and early teal hunting that expressed similar concerns to their earlier comment we addressed in the May 13, 2024, proposed rule (see 89 FR 41522 at 41524).

Service Response: In our response to this comment in our May 13, 2024, proposed rule (see 89 FR 41522 at 41524), we state explicitly how we are supportive of the development of an agreement to address many of the issues pointed out by the Band, but that it falls outside the scope of this rulemaking. It is more appropriate for us to address the Band's request of no hunting within one-half mile of an active wild rice bed identified by the Band in the season selections final rule of this rulemaking series; we will address this concern therein as warranted. As they did last year, the Minnesota DNR has agreed to adopt this buffer rule. The exact language in our upcoming season selections final rule will reflect Minnesota DNR's agreed-upon buffer rule at the time of publication. We believe that no teal hunting within the one-half mile buffer of designated active wild rice beds will prevent possible damage to wild rice beds identified by the Band as well as address safety concerns with rice harvest during the 5-day early teal hunting season on the Leech Lake Reservation.

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative for their respective flyways.

Service Response: As we stated in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule, we intend to continue use of AHM to help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2024-25 season. AHM is a tool that permits sound resource decisions in the face of uncertain regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for reducing that uncertainty over time. We use an AHM protocol (decision framework) to evaluate four regulatory alternatives, each with a different expected harvest level, and choose the optimal regulation for duck hunting for the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways based on the status and demographics of mallards and in the Atlantic Flyway based on the status and demographics of a suite of four species (eastern waterfowl) (see below, and the earlier referenced report “Adaptive Harvest Management, 2024 Hunting Season” for more details). We have specific AHM protocols that guide appropriate bag limits and season lengths for species of special concern, including black ducks, scaup, pintails, and eastern mallards. These protocols have species-specific regulatory alternatives.

For the 2024-25 hunting season, we will continue to use independent optimizations to determine the appropriate regulatory alternative for mallard stocks in the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways and for eastern waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway. This means that we will develop regulations for mid-continent mallards, western mallards, and eastern waterfowl independently based on the breeding stock(s) that contribute primarily to each Flyway. We detailed implementation of AHM protocols for mid-continent and western mallards in the July 24, 2008, Federal Register ( 73 FR 43290 ), and for eastern waterfowl in the September 21, 2018, Federal Register ( 83 FR 47868 ).

For the Atlantic Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of a suite of four duck species (eastern waterfowl) in eastern Canada and the Atlantic Flyway States: green-winged teal, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, and wood duck. For purposes of the assessment, eastern waterfowl stocks are those breeding in eastern Canada and Maine (Federal Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS) fixed-wing surveys in strata 51-53, 56, and 62-70, and helicopter plot surveys in strata 51-52, 63-64, 66-68, and 70-72) and in Atlantic Flyway States from New Hampshire south to Virginia (Atlantic Flyway Breeding Waterfowl Survey, AFBWS). Abundance estimates for green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes are derived annually by integrating fixed-wing and helicopter survey data from eastern Canada and Maine (WBPHS strata 51-53, 56, and 62-72). Counts of green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes in the AFBWS are negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates for those species. Abundance estimates for wood ducks in the Atlantic Flyway (Maine south to Florida) are estimated by integrating data from the AFBWS and the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Counts of wood ducks from the WBPHS are negligible and therefore excluded from population estimates.

For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for eastern waterfowl using: (1) A management objective of 98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest for eastern waterfowl; (2) the 2024-25 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current stock-specific population models and associated weights. Based on the liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2023-24 duck hunting season and the 2023 survey estimates of 0.97 million wood ducks, 0.39 million American green-winged teal, 0.66 million ring-necked ducks, and 0.85 million goldeneyes in the eastern survey area and Atlantic Flyway, the optimal regulation for the Atlantic Flyway is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the Atlantic Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the February ( print page 68503) 8, 2024, proposed rule for the 2024-25 season ( 89 FR 8631 ).

For the Mississippi and Central Flyways, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of mid-continent mallards and habitat conditions (pond numbers in Prairie Canada and the United States). For purposes of the assessment, mid-continent mallards are those breeding in central North America (Federal WBPHS strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77) and in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (State surveys).

For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for mid-continent mallards using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2024-25 regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2023-24 hunting season and the 2023 survey estimates of 6.22 million mid-continent mallards and 4.98 million total ponds observed in Prairie Canada and the United States, the optimal choice for the 2024-25 hunting season in the Mississippi and Central Flyways is the liberal regulatory alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule for the 2024-25 season ( 89 FR 8631 ).

For the Pacific Flyway, we set duck-hunting regulations based on the status and demographics of western mallards. For purposes of the assessment, western mallards consist of two substocks and are those breeding in Alaska and Yukon Territory (Federal WBPHS strata 1-12) and those breeding in the southern Pacific Flyway including California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (State and Provincial surveys) combined.

For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for western mallards using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 2024-25 regulatory alternatives; and (3) the current population model. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative selected for the 2023-24 hunting season and 2023 survey estimates of 0.82 million western mallards observed in Alaska (0.38 million) and the southern Pacific Flyway (0.44 million), the optimal regulation for the Pacific Flyway is the liberal regulatory alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the Pacific Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative as described in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule for the 2024-25 season ( 89 FR 8631 ).

Council Recommendations: At the May 2023 SRC meeting, the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that AHM regulatory alternatives for duck hunting during the 2024-25 season remain the same as those used in the previous season.

Service Response: Consistent with Flyway Council recommendations, the AHM regulatory alternatives proposed for the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways in the February 8, 2024, proposed rule ( 89 FR 8631 ) will be used for the 2024-25 duck hunting season (see accompanying table at the end of that document for specific information). The AHM regulatory alternatives consist only of the maximum season lengths, framework dates, and bag limits for total ducks and mallards. For those species with specific harvest strategies (pintails, black ducks, scaup, and eastern mallards), each with their own set of regulatory alternatives, the species-specific strategies and regulatory alternatives will be used for the 2024-25 hunting season.

The special early teal season guidelines (see 79 FR 51402 at 51403, August 28, 2014) indicate that a 16-day special early (September) teal season with a 6-teal daily bag limit is appropriate for States in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central flyways if the Federal WBPHS (traditional survey area; strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77) estimate is greater than 4.7 million blue-winged teal. The 2023 survey estimate is 5.3 million blue-winged teal, indicating a 16-day special early teal season with a 6-teal daily bag limit is appropriate.

Council Recommendations: The Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the experimental teal season in Minnesota be extended for a fourth year with no data collection required.

Service Response: The Service concurs with the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendation. In the July 16, 2021, Federal Register ( 86 FR 37854 ), we authorized a 3-year experimental special early teal season in Minnesota beginning in 2021 or 2022. Previously, we described in the August 28, 2014, Federal Register ( 79 FR 51402 ) that the Flyway Councils and Service completed a thorough assessment of the harvest potential for teal (blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon), and an assessment of the impacts of current special early seasons on these three species. In 2014, we established criteria for an experimental season and transition to operational status. We worked with the State of Minnesota to develop an evaluation plan and associated memorandum of agreement (MOA) for this experimental season detailing the required sample sizes, decision criteria for the experimental season to become operational, and roles and responsibilities. The plan consists of a 3-year evaluation of hunter performance (via spy blind studies) with regard to attempt and kill rates on nontarget species during the experimental early teal season. The 1-year extension of the experimental teal season, without a requirement to collect data, will allow the current harvest opportunity to continue during the 2024 early teal season until an evaluation of the first 3 years of data is completed. Any future request for operational status will be based on that evaluation and relevant data collected during the experimental season. We note that preliminary results indicate Minnesota has met all criteria for operational status based on currently available data through the second year of the experimental season.

In Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee, in lieu of a special early teal season, a 5-consecutive-day teal-wood duck season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed six teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than two may be wood ducks. In addition, a 4-consecutive-day special early teal-only season may be selected in September either immediately before or immediately after the 5-consecutive-day teal-wood duck season. The daily bag limit is six teal.

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the moderate regulatory alternative for their respective flyways. The flyway-specific regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two black ducks and a season length of 60 days.

Service Response: The Service, Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils, and Canada adopted an international AHM protocol for black ducks in 2012 ( 77 FR 49868 , August 17, 2012) whereby we set black duck hunting regulations for the Atlantic and ( print page 68504) Mississippi Flyways (and Canada) based on the status and demographics of these birds.

For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for black ducks using: (1) A management objective of 98 percent of maximum long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the black duck regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population model. Based on the moderate regulatory alternative selected for the 2023-24 hunting season and the 2023 survey estimate of 0.73 million black ducks, the optimal regulation for the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways is the moderate alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils.

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative for their respective flyways. The flyway-specific regulations consist of a daily bag limit of two canvasbacks and a season length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.

Service Response: As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register ( 81 FR 17302 ), the canvasback harvest strategy that we relied on until 2015 was not viable under our new regulatory process because it required biological information that was not yet available at the time a decision on season structure needed to be made. We do not yet have a new harvest strategy to propose for use in guiding canvasback harvest management in the future. However, we have worked with technical staff of the four Flyway Councils to develop a decision framework (hereafter, decision support tool) that relies on the best biological information available to develop recommendations for annual canvasback harvest regulations. The decision support tool uses available information (1994-2014) on canvasback breeding population size in Alaska and north-central North America (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area; strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), growth rate, survival, and harvest, and a population model to evaluate alternative harvest regulations based on a management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest. The decision support tool calls for a closed season when the population is below 460,000, a 1-bird daily bag limit when the population is between 460,000 and 480,000, and a 2-bird daily bag limit when the population is greater than 480,000. Based on the 2023 survey estimate of 619,000 canvasbacks, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the liberal regulatory alternative for the 2024-25 season.

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit for their respective flyways. The flyway-specific regulations consist of a season length of 60 days in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the Central Flyway, and 107 days in the Pacific Flyway.

Service Response: The Service and the four Flyway Councils adopted an AHM protocol for pintails in 2010 ( 75 FR 44856 , July 29, 2010) whereby we set pintail hunting regulations in all four flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.

For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for pintails using: (1) A management objective of maximum long-term sustainable harvest, including a closed-season constraint of 1.75 million birds; (2) the pintail regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population models and associated weights. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative with a 1-bird daily bag limit for the 2023-24 season, and the 2023 survey estimates of 2.22 million pintails at a mean latitude of 54.78 degrees (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four flyways is the liberal alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag limit. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils for the 2024-25 season.

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the restrictive regulatory alternative for their respective flyways. The flyway-specific regulations consist of a 60-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit during 40 consecutive days and a 2-bird daily bag limit during 20 consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway; a 60-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit during 45 consecutive days and a 1-bird daily bag limit during 15 consecutive days in the Mississippi Flyway; a 1-bird daily bag limit for 74 days in the Central Flyway (which may have separate segments of 39 days and 35 days); and an 86-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway.

Service Response: The Service and four Flyway Councils adopted an AHM protocol for scaup in 2008 ( 73 FR 43290 , July 24, 2008, and 73 FR 51124 , August 29, 2008) whereby we set scaup hunting regulations in all four flyways based on the status and demographics of these birds.

For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for scaup using: (1) A management objective of 95 percent of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the scaup regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population model. Based on a restrictive regulatory alternative for the 2023-24 season, and the 2023 survey estimate of 3.52 million scaup (Federal WBPHS traditional survey area; strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the optimal regulation for all four flyways is the restrictive alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the four Flyway Councils regarding selection of the restrictive alternative for the 2024-25 season.

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended adoption of the liberal regulatory alternative for their flyway. The Atlantic Flyway regulation consists of a daily bag limit of four mallards, no more than two of which may be hens, and a season length of 60 days.

Service Response: The Service and Atlantic Flyway Council adopted an AHM protocol for eastern mallards in 2023 ( 88 FR 6054 , January 30, 2023) whereby we set mallard hunting regulations in the Atlantic Flyway based on the status and demographics of these birds.

For the 2024-25 hunting season, we evaluated alternative harvest regulations for eastern mallards using: (1) A management objective of 98 percent of maximum sustainable harvest; (2) the eastern mallard regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population model. Based on a liberal regulatory alternative for the 2023-24 season, and the 2023 survey estimate of 1.20 million eastern mallards (Federal WBPHS eastern survey area and AFBWS), the optimal regulation for the Atlantic Flyway is the liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur with the recommendation of the Atlantic Flyway Council regarding selection of the liberal alternative for the 2024-25 season.

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended the moderate regulatory option as ( print page 68505) defined in the Council's harvest strategy for Atlantic Population (AP) Canada geese (30-day season with a daily bag limit of: 3 geese in the Mid-Atlantic and New England Regions; 2 geese in the Chesapeake Region; 1 goose in North Carolina) in the AP Zones of the Atlantic Flyway. In addition, in Vermont, the Lake Champlain Zone of New York, and the AP Zones in Connecticut and Massachusetts, a special late season may be held in addition to the regular AP Canada goose season with a maximum daily bag limit of 5 geese. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended changing the season closing date for Canada and cackling geese (including brant except in California, Oregon, and Washington) in the Pacific Flyway from January 31 to February 15.

Service Response: We agree with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation to implement the moderate regulatory option as described in the Council's harvest strategy for AP Canada geese for the 2024-25 hunting season. The AP Canada goose is one of three populations of Canada geese managed in the Atlantic Flyway and has a long history of intensive management due to its importance to subsistence and sport hunters in Canada and the United States. In 2021, the Council adopted a harvest strategy to prescribe appropriate hunting regulations for AP Canada geese commensurate with the status of this population. The 2023 breeding population estimate for AP Canada geese is 115,000 pairs. Breeding habitat conditions appeared to be slightly improved in 2023 compared to 2022. Using the most current breeding population and habitat data, the model predicted the 2024 median number of breeding pairs is 147,500. The predicted August 2023 juvenile-to-adult age ratio is 1.43, which is greater than the long-term (1997-2022) average of 1.28. The Council's AP Canada goose harvest strategy prescribes the moderate regulatory alternative when the model-predicted abundance for the out-year is between 125,000 and 160,000 pairs. The moderate regulatory option in the Council's harvest strategy for AP Canada geese is appropriate considering the current status of this population and habitat conditions.

We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to change the season closing date for Canada and cackling geese (including brant except in California, Oregon, and Washington) in the Pacific Flyway from January 31 to February 15. The Pacific Flyway Council adopted a management plan for the Pacific Flyway Population (PFP) of western Canada geese in 2023. The management plan includes a harvest strategy that prescribes season outside dates of Saturday nearest September 24 and February 15 when the 3-year average population index for PFP western Canada geese exceeds 200,000 birds. The most recent 3-year (2020, 2022, and 2023) average population estimate for PFP western Canada geese is 419,906, and is well (110 percent) above the Council's population objective. The extension of the closing date by about 2 weeks from the end of January to mid-February is expected to provide additional hunting opportunities, increase harvest, and help limit the continued growth of PFP western Canada geese. The basic season frameworks for Canada and cackling geese in the Pacific Flyway are generally based on the status of PFP western Canada geese. There are special restrictions geographically in the season frameworks to address concern for any of the other six subspecies of white-cheeked geese wintering in the Pacific Flyway, which are managed as separate populations. Brant are included in the season limits for Canada and cackling geese in interior States because brant generally do not occur in these areas.

Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended the following season frameworks of dark geese (Canada geese, white-fronted geese, and all other geese except light geese) in west-tier States (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and the Western Goose Zone of Texas) of the Central Flyway: outside dates Saturday nearest September 24 and Sunday nearest February 15; the season may be divided into two segments, except in Wyoming where the season may be divided into three segments; season length 95 days in the Western Goose Zone of Texas and 107 days in the remainder of the west-tier States; the daily bag limit is five dark geese in the aggregate; and the possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

Service Response: We agree with the Central Flyway Council's recommendation. The Council's recommendation is consistent with the management plan for the Midcontinent Population of greater white-fronted geese approved by the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi Flyway Councils. The only change to the frameworks is that the white-fronted goose daily bag limit in the Western Goose Zone of Texas is now in the aggregate with dark geese rather than a separate limit, and the daily bag limit is increased from two to five geese. This change is expected to simplify regulations in that the dark goose bag and possession limits are now the same for all west-tier States. Any possible additional harvest of greater white-fronted geese from this regulatory change will be negligible for the Central Flyway.

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the 2024-25 brant season frameworks be determined based on the harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant pending results of the 2024 Winter Brant Survey (WBS). If results of the 2024 WBS are not available, results of the most recent WBS should be used.

Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation that the 2024-25 Pacific brant season framework be determined by the harvest strategy in the Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant pending results of the 2024 WBS. As we discussed in the August 21, 2020, Federal Register ( 85 FR 51854 ), the harvest strategy used to determine the Pacific brant season frameworks does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for Pacific brant, the Pacific Flyway Council and the Service use the 3-year average number of brant counted during the WBS in the Pacific Flyway to determine annual allowable season length and daily bag limits. The WBS is conducted each January, which is after the date that proposed frameworks are formulated in the regulatory process. However, the data are typically available by the expected publication of these final frameworks. When we acquire the survey data, we determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the Pacific brant season according to the harvest strategy in the Pacific Flyway Council's management plan for the Pacific population of brant published in the August 21, 2020, Federal Register ( 85 FR 51854 ).

The recent 3-year average (2022-2024) WBS count of Pacific brant was 128,780. Based on the harvest strategy, the appropriate season length and daily bag limit framework for Pacific brant in the 2024-25 season is a 107-day season with a 4-bird daily bag limit in Alaska, and a 37-day season with a 2-bird daily bag limit in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the number of swan hunting ( print page 68506) permits in Nevada from 650 to 750 and that the experimental swan hunting season in northern Idaho be granted operational status.

Service Response: We agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to increase the number of swan hunting permits in Nevada from 650 to 750. The most recent 3-year (2021-2023) average population estimate for the Western Population of tundra swans is 97,709 and is 63 percent above the Council's population objective of 60,000 swans. The demand for swan hunting permits has exceeded the limit of 650 available in Nevada during the last 5 years. In 2022, swan permit sales transitioned from a first-come first-served process to an application-limited drawing process in which there were 817 applicants for 650 available permits. The mean annual participation rate over the past 5 years for Nevada swan permit holders was 63 percent, with a mean annual harvest of 200 swans; mean annual incidental trumpeter swan harvest was 1.7 trumpeter swans. The estimated annual increase in swan harvest in Nevada with 100 additional hunting permits is 30 swans. The estimated additional harvest of trumpeter swans will be negligible. The swan season in Nevada continues (28 years) to be compliant with environmental impact statements for the general swan season in the Pacific Flyway and the Service's outside limits for the general swan season in the Pacific Flyway, including monitoring and mandatory hunter reporting of swan harvest for species identification. Increasing the number of swan hunting permits in Nevada will provide biologically appropriate additional hunting opportunity where there is apparent demand.

We also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to grant operational status to the swan hunting season in northern Idaho. Idaho completed a 3-year (2020-2022 hunting seasons) evaluation of the experimental swan hunting season. Fifty swan hunting permits were issued each year. Any hunter who harvested a swan was required, within 3 days of the date of kill, to present the swan carcass at a check station for species identification and to complete a harvest report. After the season, any swan tag holder who did not complete a harvest report was sent a survey questionnaire in the mail and asked to report their hunting activity and harvest. The average annual compliance rate for swan permit holders in returning their hunter activity and harvest questionnaire was 90 percent (range = 84-93 percent). The estimated average hunter compliance in providing species-determinant parts of harvested swans for species identification was also 90 percent (range = 84-93 percent). The estimated average percentage of swan permit holders that actively hunted swans in Idaho was 69 percent (33 hunters). The estimated mean annual harvest was 11 tundra swans and 5 trumpeter swans (but was less than or equal to 2 during 2 of the 3 years). In 2018, the Service and Pacific Flyway Council evaluated the impact swan hunting has had on the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of trumpeter swans and demonstrated tundra swan hunting and trumpeter swan population restoration are compatible in the Pacific Flyway. Current swan harvest levels across all Pacific Flyway States are well within conservatively estimated acceptable limits for the Western Population of tundra swans and RMP trumpeter swans. Lastly, the swan season in Idaho is compliant with environmental impact statements for the general swan season in the Pacific Flyway and the Service's outside limits for the general swan season in the Pacific Flyway, including monitoring and mandatory hunter reporting of swan harvest for species identification. No changes to the swan season in northern Idaho are being made at this time except the change in status from experimental to operational.

Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended a minor expansion to the hunting areas for the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes in Montana to include that portion of Stillwater County north of I-90. The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils also recommended that allowable harvest of the RMP sandhill cranes be determined based on the formula described in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' Management Plan for RMP cranes when the 2023 fall abundance and recruitment data become available.

Service Response: We agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' recommendation to expand the RMP sandhill crane hunting areas in Montana to include that portion of Stillwater County north of I-90. This will be more restrictive in crane hunting opportunity overall in that it changes the applicable season frameworks for northern Stillwater County from those for the Midcontinent Population (MCP) of sandhill cranes (not limited by special hunting permit requirement) to those for RMP sandhill cranes (limited by special hunting permit requirement). The expanded RMP crane hunting areas are consistent with the Pacific and Central Flyway Council's RMP sandhill crane management plan hunting area requirements.

We also agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' recommendations to determine allowable harvest of RMP cranes using the formula in the Pacific and Central Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes pending results of the fall 2023 abundance and recruitment surveys. As we discussed in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register ( 81 FR 17302 ), the harvest strategy used to calculate the allowable harvest of RMP cranes does not fit well within the current regulatory process. In developing the annual proposed frameworks for RMP cranes, the Flyway Councils and the Service use the fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes to determine annual allowable harvest. Results of the fall abundance and recruitment surveys of RMP cranes are released between December 1 and January 31 each year, which is after the date proposed frameworks are developed. However, the data are typically available by the expected publication of these final frameworks. When we acquire the survey data, we determine the appropriate allowable harvest for the RMP crane season according to the harvest strategy in the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' management plan for RMP cranes published in the March 28, 2016, Federal Register ( 81 FR 17302 ).

The 2023 fall RMP crane abundance estimate was 27,267 cranes, resulting in a 3-year (2021-2023) average of 23,287 cranes, which is higher than the previous 3-year average of 22,744 cranes. The RMP crane recruitment estimate was 11.87 percent young in the fall population, resulting in a 3-year (2021-2023) average of 10.47 percent, which is higher than the previous 3-year average of 9.74 percent. Using the current harvest strategy and the most recent 3-year average abundance and recruitment estimates, the allowable harvest for the 2024-25 season is 3,006 cranes, which is higher than the previous season allowable harvest of 2,546 cranes.

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended adoption of the standard regulatory alternative as prescribed in the national mourning dove harvest strategy for their respective Mourning Dove Management Units. The standard regulatory alternative consists of a 90-day season ( print page 68507) and 15-bird daily bag limit for States within the Eastern and Central Management Units, and a 60-day season and 15-bird daily bag limit for States in the Western Management Unit (WMU). Also, the Central Flyway Council recommended that the season length of 6 days for the special white-winged dove season in Texas (between September 1 and 19) be allowed to be split into three segments. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended allowing up to 10 white-winged doves in Arizona's daily bag limit during season days from November 1 through January 15.

Service Response: Based on the harvest strategies and current population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the standard season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and Western Management Units for the 2024-25 season.

We also agree with the Central Flyway Council's recommendation that the season length of 6 days for the special white-winged dove season in Texas be allowed to be split into three segments. As we discussed in the July 16, 2021, Federal Register ( 86 FR 37862 ), we agreed with the Central Flyway Council's recommendation to add 2 days to the existing 4 hunting days permitted in the special white-winged dove area in Texas, and to codify in Federal regulations that shooting hours for those 6 days will be from noon to sunset. The additional days allowed more opportunity and flexibility to hunters by providing 3 consecutive days of dove hunting (Friday-Sunday) each of the first 2 weekends in September. Anticipating that Texas would split the 6-day season into two 3-day segments, we codified into the season framework that the 6-day season may consist of two 3-consecutive-day periods. However, Texas officials have noted that, in some years, calendar dates do not allow for these 2 full weekends prior to September 14 and that they would prefer to have the hunting days before September 14 around weekends and holidays to maximize hunting opportunity and hunter participation. Thus, specifying that Texas may split the 6-day season into three segments will allow the State more flexibility in aligning the season with weekends and holidays to maximize hunting opportunity and hunter participation.

In the past, the Service stated concerns about the effect of early September hunting on late-nesting mourning doves (see 86 FR 37862 , July 16, 2021, and 76 FR 54056 , August 30, 2011). We stated that abundances of mourning doves in the Central Management Unit have declined since 2008, and additional harvest associated with this change could exacerbate that trend. We encourage the State of Texas and the Central Flyway Council to conduct appropriate monitoring of both mourning and white-winged doves that will inform adjustments to the dove harvest management strategy, if necessary, to maintain desired abundances of doves. Such efforts should include contemporary nesting ecology studies to determine the extent of nesting activity in September, various aspects of nesting ecology ( e.g., nesting rate, clutch size, nest success), and exposure of nesting adults to harvest. We note that Texas continues to monitor mourning and white-winged dove harvest during the special white-winged dove season. The most recent harvest estimates indicate that mourning dove harvest has not increased with the addition of 2 days to the special white-winged dove season beginning with the 2021 season.

Finally, we also agree with the Pacific Flyway Council's recommendation to allow up to 10 white-winged doves in Arizona's daily bag limit during season days from November 1 through January 15. Within the WMU, most white-winged doves breed in Arizona. The Arizona spring call count survey indicates white-winged doves have increased in abundance considerably during the recent 10 years. Arizona is currently the only State in the WMU where the season frameworks do not allow take of white-winged doves during part of the dove season. Historically, white-winged doves migrated out of Arizona prior to November 1; however, in recent years, small numbers of white-winged doves have been present in the State during the late season. Allowing a limited take of white-winged doves during Arizona's late dove season will provide additional hunting opportunity where it is biologically appropriate, reduce the potential for a hunter to be cited for accidental harvest of white-winged doves during the dove season ( i.e., species misidentification), and simplify frameworks for the dove season across the WMU. White-winged dove harvest will be limited to 10 within the 15-dove aggregate bag limit to be consistent with the frameworks for the dove season in California and during the early season in Arizona. The outside limits for the remainder of the WMU States is 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Because most white-winged doves have migrated south of Arizona before the late season, the additional harvest of white-winged doves is expected to be small. There is no expected significant increase in the harvest of mourning doves, but harvest could be reduced by any buffering effect of white-winged dove harvest during the late season.

The programmatic document, “Second Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),” filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 24, 2013, addresses NEPA compliance by the Service for issuance of the annual framework regulations for hunting of migratory game bird species. We published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on May 31, 2013 ( 78 FR 32686 ), and our Record of Decision on July 26, 2013 ( 78 FR 45376 ). We also address NEPA compliance for waterfowl hunting frameworks through the annual preparation of separate environmental assessments, the most recent being “Duck Hunting Regulations for 2024-25,” with its corresponding 2024 finding of no significant impact, available at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113. In addition, an August 1985 environmental assessment entitled, “Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands” is available from the person listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

Before issuance of the 2024-25 migratory game bird hunting regulations, we will comply with provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1543 ), to ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any species designated as endangered or threatened or adversely modify or destroy its critical habitat and is consistent with conservation programs for those species. Consultations under section 7 of the ESA may cause us to change in future supplemental rulemaking documents.

Executive Order 14094 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 and E.O. 13563 . Regulatory analysis should facilitate agency efforts to develop regulations ( print page 68508) that serve the public interest, advance statutory objectives, and are consistent with E.O. 12866 , E.O. 13563 , and the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2021 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). Regulatory analysis, as practicable and appropriate, shall recognize distributive impacts and equity, to the extent permitted by law. We have developed this final rule in a manner consistent with these requirements.

E.O. 12866 , as reaffirmed by E.O. 13563 and amended by E.O. 14094 , provides that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will review all significant rules. This action is a “significant regulatory action,” as defined under section 3(f)(1) of E.O. 12866 ( 58 FR 51735 , October 4, 1993), as amended by E.O. 14094 ( 88 FR 21879 , April 11, 2023).

An economic analysis was prepared for the 2024-25 migratory bird hunting season. This analysis was based on data from the 2011 and the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (National Survey), the most recent years for which data are available. See discussion under Required Determinations, Regulatory Flexibility Act, below. This analysis estimated consumer surplus for four alternatives for migratory bird hunting regulations. As defined by OMB in Circular A-4, consumers' surplus is the difference between what a consumer pays for a unit of a good or service and the maximum amount the consumer would be willing to pay for that unit. The migratory bird hunting regulatory alternatives are (1) not opening a hunting season, (2) issuing restrictive regulations that allow fewer days than the 2023-24 season, (3) issuing moderate regulations that allow more days than in Alternative 2 but fewer days than the 2023-24 season, and (4) issuing liberal regulations that allow days similar to the 2023-24 season. The estimated consumer surplus associated with liberal regulations issued for the 2024-25 season across all flyways was $606 million to $797 million (2023$). We also chose Alternative 4 (liberal regulations) for the 2009-10 through 2023-24 seasons. The 2024-25 analysis is part of the record for this rulemaking action and is available at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113.

The annual migratory bird hunting regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities, such as restaurants, grocery stores, lodging, transportation, and sporting goods stores, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act ( 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ). An initial regulatory flexibility analysis was prepared to analyze the economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business entities. This analysis is updated annually. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Survey, which is generally conducted at 5-year intervals. The 2022 National Survey did not collect migratory bird expenditure data, so the 2024-25 migratory bird hunting season analysis is based on the 2011 and 2016 National Surveys and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns, from which it is estimated that migratory bird hunters will spend approximately $2.6 billion (2023$) at small businesses during the 2024-25 migratory bird hunting season. In summary, this rule has a significant beneficial economic impact on small entities. Without these national frameworks, States cannot establish migratory bird hunting seasons. A wide range of businesses and individuals benefit economically from the establishment of the annual migratory bird hunting regulations. The final regulatory flexibility analysis can be found in the economic analysis of the final rulemaking for migratory bird hunting for the 2024-2025 season. Copies of the economic analysis are available upon request from the person listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0113.

Pursuant to subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (also known as the Congressional Review Act or CRA), 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., OIRA designated this action as meeting the criteria in 5 U.S.C. 804(2) , because it is likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. However, because this final rule establishes a regulatory program for activity related to hunting and because hunting seasons are time sensitive, we establish the effective date of this final rule using the exemption in the CRA at 5 U.S.C. 808(1) .

This rule does not contain any new collection of information that requires approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 ( 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ). OMB has previously approved the information collection requirements associated with migratory bird surveys and the procedures for establishing annual migratory bird hunting seasons under the following OMB control numbers:

• 1018-0019, “North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey” (expires 02/28/2027).
• 1018-0023, “Migratory Bird Surveys, 50 CFR 20.20 ” (expires 05/31/2026). Includes Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program, Migratory Bird Hunter Surveys, Sandhill Crane Survey, and Parts Collection Survey.
• 1018-0171, “Establishment of Annual Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons, 50 CFR part 20 ” (expires 10/31/2024).

You may view the information collection request(s) at http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain . An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., that this final rulemaking does not include any Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted for inflation) in any 1 year and does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments.

The Department, in promulgating this final rule, has determined that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988 .

In accordance with E.O. 12630 , this final rule, authorized by the MBTA, does not have significant takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected property rights. This final rule will not result in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, this final rule allows hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduces restrictions on the use of private and public property.

E.O. 13211 requires agencies to prepare statements of energy effects ( print page 68509) when undertaking certain actions. While this final rule is a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866 , it is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy and has not been designated by OIRA as a significant energy action. Therefore, no statement of energy effects is required.

In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, “Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments” ( 59 FR 22951 ), E.O. 13175 , and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes with respect to impacts to Tribes' treaty rights to hunt waterfowl, and we have determined that there are de minimis effects on Indian Tribes for that aspect of their treaty rights. Through this process to establish annual hunting regulations, we regularly coordinate with Tribes that are affected by this final rulemaking action. Tribes have the opportunity to attend spring and fall flyway meetings, provide comments on Federal Register publications concerning migratory bird hunting, and, whenever needed, we hold informal consultations with Tribes regarding trust resources, trust assets, health, and safety. Also, while streamlining the migratory bird hunting regulation process, four informational webinars were held to present the new process to Tribes, giving Tribes the opportunity to provide input and to ask questions about the Tribal migratory bird hunting regulations. This final rule will not have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes. This rule is general in nature and does not directly affect any specific Tribal lands, treaty rights, or Tribal trust resources. In addition, this final rule does not interfere with the ability of Tribes to manage themselves or their funds or to regulate migratory bird activities on Tribal lands. Therefore, we conclude that this final rule does not have “Tribal implications” under section 1(a) of E.O. 13175 with respect to waterfowl treaty rights. Thus, formal government-to-government consultation is not required by E.O. 13175 and related policies of the Department of the Interior. We will continue to collaborate with Tribes on concerns related to migratory bird hunting regulations.

Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by the MBTA. We annually prescribe frameworks from which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. We recognize that, in certain cases, conflicts may arise between States and specific Tribes on aspects of other Tribal treaty rights. The Service actively supports the parties reaching a mutually agreeable solution to such conflicts.

Any State or Tribe may be more restrictive in its regulations than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulations. This final rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with E.O. 13132 , this final regulation does not have federalism implications and does not warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement.

Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, approved this action on July 12, 2024, for publication. On August 15, 2024, Shannon Estenoz authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of the Interior.

• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Transportation

The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2024-25 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 742 a-j.

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department of the Interior is establishing the following frameworks for outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas within which States may select seasons for hunting migratory game birds between the dates of September 1, 2024, and March 10, 2025. These frameworks are summarized below.

A. Special Youth and Veterans—Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days

3. Central and Pacific Flyways ( print page 68510)

K. Band-Tailed Pigeon Seasons

i. Special White-Winged Dove Season in Texas

Outside Dates: Outside dates are the earliest and latest dates within which States may establish hunting seasons. All outside dates specified below are inclusive.

Season Lengths: Season lengths are the maximum number of days hunting may occur within the outside dates for hunting seasons. Days are consecutive and concurrent for all species included in each season framework unless otherwise specified.

Season Segments: Season segments are the maximum number of consecutive-day segments into which the season lengths may be divided. The sum of the hunting days for all season segments may not exceed the season lengths allowed.

Zones: Unless otherwise specified, States may select hunting seasons by zones. Zones for duck seasons (and associated youth and veterans-active military waterfowl hunting days, gallinule seasons, and snipe seasons) and dove seasons may be selected only in years we declare such changes may be made ( i.e., open seasons for zones and splits) and according to federally established guidelines for duck and dove zones and split seasons.

Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Areas open to hunting must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations, and, except for early teal seasons, these areas must also be published in the Federal Register as a Federal migratory bird hunting frameworks final rule. Geographic descriptions related to regulations are contained in a later portion of this document.

Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits are three times the daily bag limits.

Permits: For some species of migratory birds, the Service authorizes the use of permits to regulate harvest or monitor their take by hunters, or both. In such cases, the Service determines the amount of harvest that may be taken during hunting seasons during its formal regulations-setting process, and the States then issue permits to hunters at levels predicted to result in the amount of take authorized by the Service. Thus, although issued by States, the permits will not be valid unless the Service approved such take in its regulations.

These federally authorized, State-issued permits are issued to individuals, and only the individual whose name and address appears on the permit at the time of issuance is authorized to take migratory birds at levels specified in the permit, in accordance with provisions of both Federal and State regulations governing the hunting season. The permit must be carried by the permittee when exercising its provisions and must be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request. The permit is not transferrable or assignable to another individual, and may not be sold, bartered, traded, or otherwise provided to another person. If the permit is altered or defaced in any way, the permit becomes invalid.

We generally set migratory bird hunting frameworks for the conterminous United States by Flyway or Management Unit/Region. Frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are contained in separate sections near the end of the frameworks portion of this document. The States included in the Flyways and Management Units/Regions are described below.

Atlantic Flyway: Includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Mississippi Flyway: Includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Central Flyway: Includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).

Pacific Flyway: Includes Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

High Plains Management Unit: Roughly defined as that portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian. See III. Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions, Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots, below, for specific boundaries in each State.

Columbia Basin Management Unit: In Washington, all areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County; and in Oregon, the counties of Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla.

Eastern Management Unit: All States east of the Mississippi River, and Louisiana. ( print page 68511)

Central Management Unit: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

Western Management Unit: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Eastern Management Region: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Central Management Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

For the purpose of the hunting season frameworks listed below, the collective terms “dark” and “light” geese include the following species:

Dark geese: Canada geese, cackling geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and all other goose species except light geese.

Light geese: Snow (including blue) geese and Ross's geese.

In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, if Sunday hunting of migratory birds is prohibited statewide by State law or regulation, all Sundays are closed to the take of all migratory game birds. For these States where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law or regulation, the State may extend their hunting season length beyond the framework season length for any migratory game bird by one day for each Sunday included in the State's regular hunting season. Total season days must be within the season framework outside dates; season days must be consecutive except as provided in framework split-season provisions; and total season length (including extended falconry and other special seasons) must not exceed 107 days.

Outside Dates and Season Lengths: States may select 2 days per duck-hunting zone, designated as “Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,” and 2 days per duck-hunting zone, designated as “Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days,” in addition to their regular duck seasons. The days may be held concurrently or may be nonconsecutive. The Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days must be held outside any regular duck season on weekends, holidays, or other non-school days when youth hunters have the maximum opportunity to participate. Both sets of days may be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any other open season on migratory birds.

Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, and gallinules. Bag limits are the same as those allowed in the regular season except in States that implement a hybrid season for scaup ( i.e., different bag limits during different portions of the season), in which case the bag limit will be 2 scaup per day. Flyway species and area restrictions remain in effect.

Participation Restrictions for Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: States may use their established definition of age for youth hunters. However, youth hunters must be under the age of 18. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth day. Swans may be taken only by participants possessing applicable swan permits.

Participation Restrictions for Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days: Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code ) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may participate. Swans may be taken only by participants possessing applicable swan permits.

Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Mississippi Flyway: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The season in Minnesota is experimental.

Central Flyway: Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.

Outside Dates: September 1-30.

Season Lengths: 16 days.

Daily Bag Limits: 6 teal.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Areas: Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Seasons: In lieu of a special early teal season, a 5-consecutive-day teal-wood duck season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. In addition, a 4-consecutive-day teal-only season may be selected in September either immediately before or immediately after the 5-day teal-wood duck season. The daily bag limit is 6 teal.

Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-January 31.

Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be female), 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, and 4 sea ducks (including no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, or 3 eiders and no more than 1 female eider). The season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 40 consecutive days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 20 consecutive days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit. The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit. The daily bag limit of coots is 15.

Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the harlequin duck.

Zones and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and West Virginia may split their seasons into 3 segments. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont may select seasons ( print page 68512) in each of 3 zones; Pennsylvania may select seasons in each of 4 zones; New York may select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia may select seasons in each of 2 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 3 segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics ( e.g., hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.

Other Provisions: The seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be the same between New York's Lake Champlain Zone and Vermont's Lake Champlain Zone, and between Vermont's Connecticut River Zone and New Hampshire's Inland Zone.

A craft under power may be used to shoot and retrieve dead or crippled birds in the Special Sea Duck Area in the Atlantic Flyway. The Special Sea Duck Area includes all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in New Jersey, all coastal waters seaward from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation Lines shown on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Nautical Charts and further described in 33 CFR 80.165 , 80.501 , 80.502 , and 80.503 ; in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay that are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in South Carolina and Georgia; and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay that are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware and North Carolina. In Virginia, the Special Sea Duck Area includes all ocean waters of Virginia, the tidal waters of Northampton and Accomack Counties up to the first highway bridge, and the Chesapeake Bay and each of its tributaries up to the first highway bridge; Back Bay and its tributaries are not included. In Maryland, the Special Sea Duck Area includes portions of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The Special Sea Duck Area in each State must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Outside Dates and Season Lengths: 15 days during September 1-15 in the Eastern Unit of Maryland; 30 days during September 1-30 in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Long Island Zone of New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina; and 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the Atlantic Flyway.

Daily Bag Limits: 15 geese in the aggregate.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during any special early Canada and cackling goose season, shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.

Outside Dates, Season Lengths, and Daily Bag Limits: Regulations are State and zone specific as provided below.

Outside Dates: October 1-March 10.

Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 3 segments.

Daily Bag limits: 25 light geese. There is no possession limit.

Season Lengths: 30 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.

Daily Bag Limits: 1 brant.

Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, and 2 redheads. In Louisiana (the only high-harvest State in the Mississippi Flyway for mottled ducks), the daily bag limit for mottled ducks is zero for the first 15 days. The season for scaup may be split into 2 segments, with one segment consisting of 45 days with a 2-scaup daily bag limit, and the second segment consisting of 15 days with a 1-scaup daily bag limit. The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. The daily bag limit of coots is 15.

Zones and Split Seasons: Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi may split their seasons into 3 segments. Kentucky and Tennessee may select seasons in each of 2 zones; Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Illinois may select seasons in each of 4 zones. Louisiana may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments. Louisiana must conduct an evaluation of the impacts of zones and splits on hunter dynamics ( e.g., hunter numbers, satisfaction) and harvest during the 2021-25 seasons.

Outside Dates: September 1-February 15.

Season Lengths: 107 days, which may be split into 4 segments.

Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset for Canada and cackling geese if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.

Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 74 days with a daily bag limit of 3 geese, 88 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, or 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose. Seasons may be split into 4 segments.

Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 70 days with a daily bag limit of 2 brant or 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 brant. Seasons may be split into 4 segments.

Other Provisions: In lieu of a separate brant season, brant may be included in the season for Canada and cackling geese with a daily bag limit of 5 geese in the aggregate.

Areas: Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin in lieu of separate seasons for Canada and cackling geese, white-fronted geese, and brant.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 20 geese. There is no possession limit for light geese.

Season Lengths and Duck Daily Bag Limits: 74 days, except in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit where the season length is 97 days and the last 23 days must be consecutive and may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 (December 7). The daily ( print page 68514) bag limit is 6 ducks and mergansers in the aggregate, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 scaup, and 2 canvasbacks. In Texas, the daily bag limit on mottled ducks is 1, except that no mottled ducks may be taken during the first 5 days of the season. In addition to the daily limits listed above, the States of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, in lieu of selecting an experimental September teal season, may include an additional daily bag and possession limit of 2 and 6 blue-winged teal, respectively, during the first 16 days of the regular duck season in each respective duck hunting zone. These extra limits are in addition to the regular duck bag and possession limits.

Coot Daily Bag Limits: 15 coots.

Zones and Split Seasons: Colorado, Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.

North Dakota may split their season into 3 segments. Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas may select seasons in each of 2 zones; Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 3 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Nebraska may select seasons in each of 4 zones.

Outside Dates and Seasons Lengths: In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, 30 days between September 1-30; in Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming, Canada and cackling goose seasons of not more than 15 days between September 1-15; and in North Dakota, 22 days between September 1-22.

Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate in Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, and Texas; 8 geese in the aggregate in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; and 15 geese in the aggregate in North Dakota and South Dakota.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that during September 1-15 shooting hours may extend to one-half hour after sunset if all other waterfowl and crane seasons are closed in the specific applicable area.

Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 16).

Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, 107 days with a daily bag limit of 8 geese; in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming, 107 days with a daily bag limit of 5 geese; and in Texas (Western Goose Zone), 95 days with a daily bag limit of 5 geese.

Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment seasons require Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.

Season Length and Daily Bag Limits:

East-tier States (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas except for the Western Goose Zone): Either 74 days with a daily bag limit of 3 geese, or 88 days with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, or 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 goose.

West-tier States (Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming, and the Western Goose Zone of Texas): 107 days, except 95 days in the Western Goose Zone of Texas. The daily bag limit is 5 dark geese in the aggregate.

Outside Dates: Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-March 10.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 50 with no possession limit.

Other Provisions: In the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial restrictions that are consistent with the late-winter snow goose hunting strategy cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council and the Service are required.

Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 107 days. The daily bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers in the aggregate, including no more than 2 female mallards, 1 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup, and 2 redheads. For scaup, the season length is 86 days, which may be split according to applicable zones and split duck hunting configurations approved for each State. The daily bag limit of coots and gallinules is 25 in the aggregate.

Zones and Split Seasons: Montana and New Mexico may split their seasons into 3 segments. Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select seasons in each of 2 zones; Nevada may select seasons in each of 3 zones; California may select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all these States may split their season in each zone into 2 segments. Idaho may select seasons in each of 4 zones.

Other Provisions: The seasons, limits, and shooting hours should be the same between the Colorado River Zone of California and the South Zone of Arizona.

Outside Dates: September 1-20.

Season Lengths: 15 days.

Daily Bag Limits: 5 geese in the aggregate, except in Pacific County, Washington, where the daily bag limit is 15 geese in the aggregate.

Outside Dates: Except as subsequently provided, Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21)-February 15.

Season Lengths: Except as subsequently provided, 107 days.

Daily Bag Limits: Except as subsequently provided, in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, the daily bag limit is 5 Canada and cackling geese and brant in the aggregate. In Oregon and Washington, the daily bag limit is 4 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate. In California, the daily bag limit is 10 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate.

Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments. Three-segment seasons require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each participating State.

Other Provisions:

California: In the Balance of State Zone, outside dates are Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10. The season may be split into ( print page 68515) 3 segments. In the Balance of State Zone, North Coast Special Management Area, hunting days that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.

Oregon: In the Northwest Permit Zone, outside dates are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 3 geese in the aggregate. The season may be split into 3 segments. In the South Coast Zone, outside dates are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 6 geese in the aggregate. The season may be split into 3 segments. Hunting days that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with California's Balance of State Zone, North Coast Special Management Area.

Washington: In Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone), outside dates are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 21) and March 10. The daily bag limit is 3 geese in the aggregate. The season may be split into 3 segments. In Area 4, the season may be split into 3 segments.

Permit Zones: In Oregon and Washington permit zones, the hunting season is closed on dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value 5 or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters. Hunting is by State-issued permit only. Shooting hours for geese may begin no earlier than sunrise. Regular Canada and cackling goose seasons in the permit zones of Oregon and Washington remain subject to the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Service regarding monitoring the impacts of take during the regular Canada and cackling goose season on the dusky Canada goose population.

Areas: California, Oregon, and Washington.

Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 37 days and 2 brant.

Zones: Washington and California may select seasons in each of 2 zones.

Other Provisions: In Oregon and California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.

Season Lengths: 107 days.

Daily Bag Limits: Except as subsequently provided, 10 geese.

California: In the Balance of State Zone, Sacramento Valley Special Management Area, the season must end on or before December 28, and the daily bag limit is 3 white-fronted geese. In the Balance of State Zone, North Coast Special Management Area, hunting days that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone. In the Northeastern Zone, the season may be split into 3 segments.

Oregon: In the Eastern Zone, for Lake County only, the daily bag limit is 1 white-fronted goose. In the Northwest Permit Zone and South Coast Zone, the seasons may be split into 3 segments. Hunting days that occur after January 31 should be concurrent with California's Balance of State Zone, North Coast Special Management Area.

Washington: In Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone) and Area 4, seasons may be split into 3 segments.

Daily Bag Limits: 20 geese, except in Washington where the daily bag limit for light geese is 10 on or before the last Sunday in January (January 26).

Areas: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah.

Season Lengths: 107 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.

Permits: Hunting is by State-issued permit only. The total number of permits issued may not exceed 50 in Idaho, 500 in Montana, 750 in Nevada, and 2,750 in Utah. Permits will authorize the take of no more than 1 swan per permit. Only 1 permit may be issued per hunter in Idaho, Montana, and Utah; 2 permits may be issued per hunter in Nevada.

Quotas: The swan season in the respective State must end upon attainment of the following reported harvest of trumpeter swans: 20 in Utah and 10 in Nevada. There is no quota in Idaho and Montana.

Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing either species-determinant parts (at least the intact head) or bill measurements (bill length from tip to posterior edge of the nares opening, and presence or absence of yellow lore spots on the bill in front of the eyes) of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant parts or bill measurements of harvested swans for species identification, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 percent in the respective State. Each State must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in reporting harvest. In Idaho and Montana, all hunters that harvest a swan must complete and submit a reporting card (bill card) with the bill measurement and color information from the harvested swan within 72 hours of harvest for species determination. In Utah and Nevada, all hunters that harvest a swan must have the swan or species-determinant parts examined by a State or Federal biologist within 72 hours of harvest for species determination.

Other Provisions: In Utah, the season is subject to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in January 2019 regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education requirements to minimize take of trumpeter swans during the swan season.

Areas: Delaware, North Carolina, and Virginia in the Atlantic Flyway and North Dakota, South Dakota east of the Missouri River, and part of Montana in the Central Flyway.

Outside Dates: October 1-January 31 in the Atlantic Flyway and the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 28)-January 31 in the Central Flyway.

Season Lengths: 90 days in the Atlantic Flyway and 107 days in the Central Flyway.

Permits: Hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the States. No more than 5,600 permits may be issued in the Atlantic Flyway including 347 in Delaware; 4,721 in North Carolina; and 532 in Virginia. No more than 4,000 permits may be issued in the Central Flyway including 500 in Montana; 2,200 in North Dakota; and 1,300 in South Dakota. Permits will authorize the take of no more than 1 swan per permit. A ( print page 68516) second permit may be issued to hunters from unissued permits remaining after the first drawing. Unissued permits may be reallocated to States within a flyway.

Monitoring: Each State must evaluate hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in providing measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance with the State's program for swan harvest reporting. Each State must achieve a hunter compliance of at least 80 percent in providing species-determinant measurements of harvested swans for species identification. Each State must provide to the Service by June 30 following the swan season a report detailing hunter participation, species-specific swan harvest, and hunter compliance in reporting harvest.

Other Provisions: In lieu of a general swan hunting season, States may select a season only for tundra swans. States selecting a season only for tundra swans must obtain harvest and hunter participation data.

Areas: Alabama, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Tennessee.

Outside Dates: September 1-February 28 in Minnesota, and September 1-January 31 in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Season Lengths: 37 days in the designated portion of Minnesota's Northwest Goose Zone, and 60 days in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag limit is 2 cranes in Minnesota and Kentucky, and 3 cranes in Alabama and Tennessee. In Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the seasonal bag limit is 3 cranes.

Permits: Hunting is by State-issued permit only.

Other Provisions: The number of permits, open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons must be consistent with Council management plans and approved by the Mississippi Flyway Council.

Areas: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

Outside Dates: September 1-February 28.

Season Lengths: 37 days in Texas (Zone C); 58 days in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and 93 days in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Daily Bag Limits: 3 cranes, except 2 cranes in North Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Zone C).

Permits: Hunting is by permit only. Permits will be issued by the States.

Areas: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming within the range of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes.

Outside Dates: September 1-January 31.

Season Lengths: 60 days. The season may be split into 3 segments.

Daily Bag and Possession limits: The daily bag limit is 3 cranes, and the possession limit is 9 cranes per season.

Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons must be consistent with Councils' management plan and approved by the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils, with the following exceptions:

1. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota;

2. In Arizona, monitoring the species composition of the harvest must be conducted at 3-year intervals unless 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota;

3. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota; and

4. In the Estancia Valley hunt area of New Mexico, harvest and species composition must be monitored; greater sandhill cranes in the harvest will be assigned to the RMP crane quota.

Season Lengths: 70 days.

Daily Bag Limits: 15 gallinules.

Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck hunting.

The season in each zone may be split into 2 segments.

States in the Pacific Flyway may select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season on ducks, mergansers, and coots; therefore, Pacific Flyway frameworks for gallinules are included with the duck, merganser, and coot frameworks.

Areas: Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways and the Pacific Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Season Lengths: 70 days. Seasons may be split into 2 segments.

Daily Bag Limits

Clapper and King Rails: In Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, 10 rails in the aggregate. In Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 15 rails in the aggregate.

Sora and Virginia Rails: 25 rails in the aggregate.

Outside Dates: September 1-February 28, except in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, where the season must end no later than January 31.

Daily Bag limits: 8 snipe.

Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be selected by zones established for duck seasons. The season in each zone may be split into 2 segments.

Areas: Eastern and Central Management Regions

Outside Dates: September 13-January 31.

Season Lengths: Except as subsequently provided, 45 days.

Daily Bag Limits: 3 woodcock.

Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 2 segments. New Jersey may select seasons in each of 2 zones. The season in each zone may not exceed 36 days.

Outside Dates: September 15-January 1.

Seasons Lengths: 9 days.

Daily Bag Limits: 2 pigeons.

Zones: California may select seasons in each of 2 zones. The season in each zone may not exceed 9 days. The season in the North Zone must close by October 3.

Outside Dates: September 1-November 30.

Season Lengths: 14 days.

Zones: New Mexico may select seasons in each of 2 zones. The season in each zone may not exceed 14 days. The season in the South Zone may not open until October 1. ( print page 68517)

Season Lengths: 90 days.

Daily Bag Limits: 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.

Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments; Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments.

Outside Dates: September 1-January 15.

Zones and Split Seasons: Seasons may be split into 3 segments; New Mexico may select seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into 3 segments.

Daily Bag Limits: 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves.

Zones and Split Seasons: Texas may select hunting seasons for each of 3 zones subject to the following conditions:

1. The season may be split into 2 segments, except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove season is allowed, where a limited take of mourning and white-tipped doves may also occur during that special season (see i. Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas, below).

2. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 14 and January 25.

In addition, Texas may select a hunting season of not more than 6 days, which may be split into 3 segments, for the Special White-winged Dove Area between September 1 and 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 15 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be mourning doves and no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves. Shooting hours are from noon to sunset.

Season Lengths: 60 days.

Zones and Split Seasons: Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Washington may split their seasons into 2 segments. Oregon may select hunting seasons in each of 2 zones and may split their season in each zone into 2 segments.

Season Lengths: 60 days, which may be split between 2 segments, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15.

Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 10 may be white-winged doves.

Outside Dates: Except as subsequently provided, September 1-January 26.

Season Lengths: Except as subsequently provided, 107 days for ducks, geese, brant, sandhill cranes, and snipe.

Zones and Split Seasons: A season may be established in each of 5 zones. The season in the Southeast Zone may be split into 2 segments.

Closed Seasons: The hunting season is closed on the spectacled eider and Steller's eider.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits and Special Conditions.

Ducks: The basic daily bag limit is 7 ducks. The basic daily bag limit in the North Zone is 10 ducks, and in the Gulf Coast Zone is 8 ducks. The basic daily bag limits may include 2 canvasbacks and may not include sea ducks.

In addition to the basic daily bag limits, the sea duck daily bag limit is 10, including 6 each of either harlequin or long-tailed ducks. Sea ducks include scoters, common and king eiders, harlequin ducks, long-tailed ducks, and common, hooded, and red-breasted mergansers.

Light Geese: The daily bag limit is 6 geese.

Canada and Cackling Geese: The daily bag limit is 4 Canada and cackling geese in the aggregate with the following exceptions, and subject to the following conditions:

1. In Game Management Units (Units) 5 and 6, in the Gulf Coast Zone, outside dates are September 28-December 16.

2. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, in the Gulf Coast Zone, all hunting is by permit only. Each hunter is required to complete a mandatory Canada and cackling goose identification class prior to being issued a permit. Hunters must check in and check out when hunting. The daily bag and possession limits are 1 goose. The season will close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value 5 or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters.

3. In Unit 10, in the Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone, the daily bag limit is 6 geese in the aggregate.

White-fronted Geese: The daily bag limit is 4 geese with the following exceptions:

1. In Unit 9, in the Gulf Coast Zone, Unit 10, in the Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone, and Unit 17, in the North Zone, the daily bag limit is 6 geese.

2. In Unit 18, in the North Zone, the daily bag limit is 10 geese.

Emperor Geese: The emperor goose season is subject to the following conditions:

1. All hunting is by permit only.

2. One goose may be harvested per hunter per season.

3. Total harvest may not exceed 500 geese.

4. In Unit 8, in the Kodiak Zone, the Kodiak Island Road Area is closed to hunting. The Kodiak Island Road Area consists of all lands and water (including exposed tidelands) east of a line extending from Crag Point in the north to the west end of Saltery Cove in the south and all lands and water south of a line extending from Termination Point along the north side of Cascade Lake extending to Anton Larsen Bay. Marine waters adjacent to the closed area are closed to harvest within 500 feet from the water's edge. The offshore islands are open to harvest, for example: Woody, Long, Gull, and Puffin islands.

Brant: The daily bag limit is 4 brant.

Snipe: The daily bag limit is 8 snipe.

Sandhill Cranes: The daily bag limit is 2 cranes in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zones, and Unit 17 in the North Zone. In the remainder of the North Zone (outside Unit 17), the daily bag limit is 3 cranes.

Outside Dates: September 1-October 31.

Season Lengths: 61 days.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits and Special Conditions: All hunting is by permit only according to the following conditions.

1. In Unit 17, in the North Zone, 200 permits may be issued; 3 tundra swans may be authorized per permit, and 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season. ( print page 68518)

2. In Unit 18, in the North Zone, 500 permits may be issued; 3 tundra swans may be authorized per permit, and 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.

3. In Unit 22, in the North Zone, 300 permits may be issued; 3 tundra swans may be authorized per permit, and 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.

4. In Unit 23, in the North Zone, 300 permits may be issued; 3 tundra swans may be authorized per permit, and 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season.

Outside Dates: October 1-January 31.

Season Lengths and Daily Bag Limits: 65 days with a daily bag limit of 15 doves or 75 days with a daily bag of 12 doves.

Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20 .

Daily Bag Limits: 30 Zenaida, mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which 10 may be Zenaida doves and 3 may be mourning doves, and 5 scaly-naped pigeons.

Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the white-crowned pigeon and the plain pigeon, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.

Season Lengths: 55 days. The season may be split into 2 segments.

Daily Bag Limits: 6 ducks, 6 common gallinules, and 8 snipe.

Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the ruddy duck, white-cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. There is no open season on the purple gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean coot.

Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, gallinules, and snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 10 Zenaida doves.

Closed Seasons: There is no open season for ground-doves, quail-doves, and pigeons.

Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).

Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge; common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled pigeon.

Outside Dates: December 1-January 31.

Season Lengths: 55 days.

Daily Bag Limits: 6 ducks.

Closed Seasons: There is no open season on the ruddy duck, white-cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling-duck, fulvous whistling-duck, and masked duck.

In accordance with 50 CFR 21.82 , falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any State except for Hawaii. States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in accordance with the following:

Outside Dates: September 1-March 10.

Season Lengths: For all hunting methods combined, the combined length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or experimental seasons must not exceed 107 days for any species or group of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be split into 3 segments.

Daily Bag Limits: Falconry daily bag limits for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 birds in the aggregate during extended falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular hunting seasons in each State, including those that do not select an extended falconry season.

Note: General hunting regulations, including seasons and hunting hours, apply to falconry. Regular season bag limits do not apply to falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to shooting limits.

North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-95.

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

North Zone: That portion north of the line extending east along Maine State Highway 110 from the New Hampshire-Maine State line to the intersection of Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; then north and east along Route 11 to the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Auburn; then north and east on Route 202 to the intersection of I-95 in Augusta; then north and east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; then east along Route 15 to Route 9; then east along Route 9 to Stony Brook in Baileyville; then east along Stony Brook to the U.S. border.

Coastal Zone: That portion south of a line extending east from the Maine-New Brunswick border in Calais at the Route 1 Bridge; then south along Route 1 to the Maine-New Hampshire border in Kittery.

Western Zone: Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington Counties; and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, Prince George's, and Montgomery Counties west of a line beginning at I-83 at the Pennsylvania State line, following I-83 south to the intersection of I-83 and I-695 (Outer Loop), south following I-695 (Outer Loop) to its intersection with I-95, south following I-95 to its intersection with I-495 (Outer Loop), and following I-495 (Outer Loop) to the Virginia shore of the Potomac River.

Eastern Zone: That portion of the State not included in the Western Zone.

Special Teal Season Area: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia State Line.

Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Vermont State line on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south ( print page 68519) on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut State line.

Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line on I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island State line; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center Street-Elm Street bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.

Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the Central Zone.

Northern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of the Inland Zone beginning at the junction of Route 10 and Route 25-A in Orford, east on Route 25-A to Route 25 in Wentworth, southeast on Route 25 to Exit 26 of Route I-93 in Plymouth, south on Route I-93 to Route 3 at Exit 24 of Route I-93 in Ashland, northeast on Route 3 to Route 113 in Holderness, north on Route 113 to Route 113-A in Sandwich, north on Route 113-A to Route 113 in Tamworth, east on Route 113 to Route 16 in Chocorua, north on Route 16 to Route 302 in Conway, east on Route 302 to the Maine-New Hampshire border.

Inland Zone: That portion of the State south and west of the Northern Zone, west of the Coastal Zone, and includes the area of Vermont and New Hampshire as described for hunting reciprocity. A person holding a New Hampshire hunting license that allows the taking of migratory waterfowl or a person holding a Vermont resident hunting license that allows the taking of migratory waterfowl may take migratory waterfowl and coots from the following designated area of the Inland Zone: the State of Vermont east of Route I-91 at the Massachusetts border, north on Route I-91 to Route 2, north on Route 2 to Route 102, north on Route 102 to Route 253, and north on Route 253 to the border with Canada and the area of New Hampshire west of Route 63 at the Massachusetts border, north on Route 63 to Route 12, north on Route 12 to Route 12-A, north on Route 12-A to Route 10, north on Route 10 to Route 135, north on Route 135 to Route 3, north on Route 3 to the intersection with the Connecticut River.

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line beginning at the Maine-New Hampshire border in Rollinsford, then extending to Route 4 west to the city of Dover, south to the intersection of Route 108, south along Route 108 through Madbury, Durham, and Newmarket to the junction of Route 85 in Newfields, south to Route 101 in Exeter, east to Interstate 95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and south to the Massachusetts border.

Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning at the New York State line in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New York State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to NJ 109; south on NJ 109 to Cape May County Route 633 (Lafayette Street); south on Lafayette Street to Jackson Street; south on Jackson Street to the shoreline at Cape May; west along the shoreline of Cape May beach to COLREGS Demarcation Line 80.503 at Cape May Point; south along COLREGS Demarcation Line 80.503 to the Delaware State line in Delaware Bay.

North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70 to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania State line in the Delaware River.

South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or the Coastal Zone.

Lake Champlain Zone: That area east and north of a continuous line extending along U.S. 11 from the New York-Canada International boundary south to NY 9B, south along NY 9B to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont State line.

Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters.

Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along I-81 to the Pennsylvania State line.

Northeastern Zone: That area north of a continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along NY 13 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to NY 22, north along NY 22 to Washington County Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.

Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Coastal Zone: All counties and portions of counties east of I-95.

Inland Zone: All counties and portions of counties west of I-95.

Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on the west extending 150 yards inland but including all of Presque Isle Peninsula.

Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.

North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.

South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area north and west of the line extending from the New York border along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to VT 78 at Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to Maquam Bay on Lake Champlain; along and around the shoreline of Maquam Bay and Hog Island to VT 78 at the West Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in Alburg; VT 2 to the Richelieu River in Alburg; along the east shore of the Richelieu River to the Canadian border.

Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont east of the Lake Champlain Zone and west of a line extending from the Massachusetts border at I-91; north along I-91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 2 to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the Canadian border.

Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of the Interior Zone.

Western Zone: All counties and portions of counties west of I-95.

Eastern Zone: All counties and portions of counties east of I-95. ( print page 68520)

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road, west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road, west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.

Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Duck Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70 to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's Road to Modoc Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc Ferry route across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.

South Zone: That portion of the State south and east of a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70, south along U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13 to Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar Road to Sycamore Road, west on Sycamore Road to N. Reed Station Road, south on N. Reed Station Road to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13 to Illinois Route 127, south along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest Road (1025 N), west along State Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River, west along the south bank of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi River, west across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.

South Central Zone: The remainder of the State between the south border of the Central Zone and the north border of the South Zone.

North Zone: That part of Indiana north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. 31; north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east along U.S. 24 to Huntington; southeast along U.S. 224; south along State Road 5; and east along State Road 124 to the Ohio border.

Central Zone: That part of Indiana south of the North Zone boundary and north of the South Zone boundary.

South Zone: That part of Indiana south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along I-70; east along National Ave.; east along U.S. 150; south along U.S. 41; east along State Road 58; south along State Road 37 to Bedford; and east along U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.

North Zone: That portion of Iowa north of a line beginning on the South Dakota-Iowa border at I-29, southeast along I-29 to State Highway 20 to the Iowa-Illinois border. The south duck hunting zone is that part of Iowa west of I-29 and south of State Highway 92 east to the Iowa-Illinois border. The central duck hunting zone is the remainder of the State.

Central Zone: The remainder of Iowa not included in the North and South zones.

South Zone: The south duck hunting zone is that part of Iowa west of I-29 and south of State Highway 92 east to the Iowa-Illinois border.

West Zone: All counties west of and including Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren Counties.

East Zone: The remainder of Kentucky.

East Zone: That area of the State beginning at the Arkansas border, then south on U.S. Hwy 79 to State Hwy 9, then south on State Hwy 9 to State Hwy 147, then south on State Hwy 147 to U.S. Hwy 167, then south and east on U.S. Hwy 167 to U.S. Hwy 90, then south on U.S. Hwy 90 to the Mississippi State line.

West Zone: Remainder of the State.

North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.

Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line beginning at the Michigan 2012;Wisconsin boundary line in Lake Michigan, directly due west of the mouth of Stoney Creek in section 31, T14N R18W, Oceana County, then proceed easterly and southerly along the centerline of Stoney Creek to its intersection with Scenic Drive, southerly on Scenic Drive to Stoney Lake Road in section 5, T13N R18W, Oceana County, easterly on Stoney Lake Road then both west and east Garfield Roads (name change only; not an intersection) then crossing highway U.S. 2012;31 to State Highway 012;20 (north of the town of New Era; also locally named Hayes Road) in section 33, T14N R17W, Oceana County, easterly on 2012;20 through Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, and Midland Counties to highway U.S. 2012;10 business route in the city of Midland, easterly on U.S. 2012;10 Business Route (BR) to highway U.S. 2012;10 at the Bay County line, easterly on U.S.2012;10 then crossing U.S. 2012;75 to State Highway 2012;25 (west of the town of Bay City), easterly along 2012;25 into Tuscola County then northeasterly and easterly on 2012;25 through Tuscola County into Huron County, turning southeasterly on 2012;25 (near the town of Huron City; also locally named North Shore Road) to the centerline of Willow Creek in section 4, T18N R14E, Huron County, then northerly along the centerline of Willow Creek to the mouth of Willow Creek into Lake Huron, then directly due east along a line from the mouth of Willow Creek heading east into Lake Huron to a point due east and on the Michigan/U.S 2012;Canadian border.

South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

North Duck Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the North Dakota State line along State Highway 210 to State Highway 23 and east to State Highway 39 and east to the Wisconsin State line at the Oliver Bridge.

South Duck Zone: The portion of the State south of a line extending east from the South Dakota State line along U.S. Highway 212 to 2012;494 and east to 2012;94 and east to the Wisconsin State line.

Central Duck Zone: The remainder of the State.

North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west from the Illinois border at 2012;70; west on 2012;70 to Hwy 65; north on Hwy 65 to Hwy 41, north on Hwy 41 to Hwy 24; west on Hwy 24 to MO Hwy 10, west on Hwy 10 to Hwy 69, north on Hwy 69 to MO Hwy 116, west on MO Hwy 116 to Hwy 59, south on Hwy 59 to the Kansas border.

Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri not included in other zones. ( print page 68521)

South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west from the Illinois border on MO Hwy 74 to MO Hwy 25; south on MO Hwy 25 to U.S. Hwy 62; west on U.S. Hwy 62 to MO Hwy 53; north on MO Hwy 53 to MO Hwy 51; north on MO Hwy 51 to U.S. Hwy 60; west on U.S. Hwy 60 to MO Hwy 21; north on MO Hwy 21 to MO Hwy 72; west on MO Hwy 72 to MO Hwy 32; west on MO Hwy 32 to U.S. Hwy 65; north on U.S. Hwy 65 to U.S. Hwy 54; west on U.S. Hwy 54 to the Kansas border.

Lake Erie Marsh Zone: Includes all land and water within the boundaries of the area bordered by a line beginning at the intersection of 2012;75 at the Ohio-Michigan State line and continuing south to Interstate 280, then south on I-280 to the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-90), then east on the Ohio Turnpike to the Erie-Lorain County line, then north to Lake Erie, then following the Lake Erie shoreline at a distance of 200 yards offshore, then following the shoreline west toward and around the northern tip of Cedar Point Amusement Park, then continuing from the westernmost point of Cedar Point toward the southernmost tip of the sand bar at the mouth of Sandusky Bay and out into Lake Erie at a distance of 200 yards offshore continuing parallel to the Lake Erie shoreline north and west toward the northernmost tip of Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge, then following a direct line toward the southernmost tip of Wood Tick Peninsula in Michigan to a point that intersects the Ohio-Michigan State line, then following the State line back to the point of the beginning.

North Zone: That portion of the State, excluding the Lake Erie Marsh Zone, north of a line extending east from the Indiana State line along U.S. Highway (U.S.) 33 to State Route (SR) 127, then south along SR 127 to SR 703, then south along SR 703 and including all lands within the Mercer Wildlife Area to SR 219, then east along SR 219 to SR 364, then north along SR 364 and including all lands within the St. Mary's Fish Hatchery to SR 703, then east along SR 703 to SR 66, then north along SR 66 to U.S. 33, then east along U.S. 33 to SR 385, then east along SR 385 to SR 117, then south along SR 117 to SR 273, then east along SR 273 to SR 31, then south along SR 31 to SR 739, then east along SR 739 to SR 4, then north along SR 4 to SR 95, then east along SR 95 to SR 13, then southeast along SR 13 to SR 3, then northeast along SR 3 to SR 60, then north along SR 60 to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to SR 3, then south along SR 3 to SR 226, then south along SR 226 to SR 514, then southwest along SR 514 to SR 754, then south along SR 754 to SR 39/60, then east along SR 39/60 to SR 241, then north along SR 241 to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to SR 39, then east along SR 39 to the Pennsylvania State line.

South Zone: The remainder of Ohio not included in the Lake Erie Marsh Zone or the North Zone.

Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.

Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the Reelfoot Zone.

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Minnesota State line along U.S. Highway 10 to U.S. Highway 41, then north on U.S. Highway 41 to the Michigan State line.

Open Water Zone: That portion of the State extending 500 feet or greater from the Lake Michigan shoreline bounded by the Michigan State line and the Illinois State line.

South Zone: The remainder of the State.

Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.

Northeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and north of Interstate 70.

Southeast Zone: All areas east of Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas Counties.

Mountain/Foothills Zone: All areas west of Interstate 25 and east of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas Counties.

High Plains: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.

Low Plains Early Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Federal Hwy U.S.-283 and State Hwy 96 junction, then east on State Hwy 96 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-36, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-36 to its junction with State Hwy K-199, then south on State Hwy K-199 to its junction with Republic County 30th Road, then south on Republic County 30th Road to its junction with State Hwy K-148, then east on State Hwy K-148 to its junction with Republic County 50th Road, then south on Republic County 50th Road to its junction with Cloud County 40th Road, then south on Cloud County 40th Road to its junction with State Hwy K-9, then west on State Hwy K-9 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then west on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-181, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-181 to its junction with State Hwy K-18, then west on State Hwy K-18 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with State Hwy K-4, then east on State Hwy K-4 to its junction with interstate Hwy I-135, then south on interstate Hwy I-135 to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then southwest on State Hwy K-61 to its junction with McPherson County 14th Avenue, then south on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with McPherson County Arapaho Road, then west on McPherson County Arapaho Road to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then southwest on State Hwy K-61 to its junction with State Hwy K-96, then northwest on State Hwy K-96 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then southwest on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with State Hwy K-19, then east on State Hwy K-19 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-54, then west on Federal Hwy U.S.-54 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then southwest on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with North Main Street in Spearville, then south on North Main Street to Davis Street, then east on Davis Street to Ford County Road 126 (South Stafford Street), then south on Ford County Road 126 to Garnett Road, then east on Garnett Road to Ford County Road 126, then south on Ford County Road 126 to Ford Spearville Road, then west on Ford Spearville Road to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-400, then northwest on Federal Hwy U.S.-400 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-283, and then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-283 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-96.

Low Plains Late Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Federal Hwy U.S.-283 and State Hwy 96 junction, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-283 to the Kansas-Nebraska State line, then east along the Kansas-Nebraska State line to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri State line, then ( print page 68522) southeast along the Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction with State Hwy K-68, then west on State Hwy K-68 to its junction with interstate Hwy I-35, then southwest on interstate Hwy I-35 to its junction with Butler County NE 150th Street, then west on Butler County NE 150th Street to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-77, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-77 to its junction with the Kansas-Oklahoma State line, then west along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-283, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-283 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-400, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-400 to its junction with Ford Spearville Road, then east on Ford Spearville Road to Ford County Road 126 (South Stafford Street), then north on Ford County Road 126 to Garnett Road, then west on Garnett Road to Ford County Road 126, then north on Ford County Road 126 to Davis Street, then west on Davis Street to North Main Street, then north on North Main Street to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-54, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-54 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with State Hwy K-19, then west on State Hwy K-19 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its junction with State Hwy K-96, then southeast on State Hwy K-96 to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then northeast on State Hwy K-61 to its junction with McPherson County Arapaho Road, then east on McPherson County Arapaho Road to its junction with McPherson County 14th Avenue, then north on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with State Hwy K-61, then east on State Hwy K-61 to its junction with interstate Hwy I-135, then north on interstate Hwy I-135 to its junction with State Hwy K-4, then west on State Hwy K-4 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with State Hwy K-18, then east on State Hwy K-18 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-181, then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-181 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with State Hwy K-9, then east on State Hwy K-9 to its junction with Cloud County 40th Road, then north on Cloud County 40th Road to its junction with Republic County 50th Road, then north on Republic County 50th Road to its junction with State Hwy K-148, then west on State Hwy K-148 to its junction with Republic County 30th Road, then north on Republic County 30th Road to its junction with State Hwy K-199, then north on State Hwy K-199 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-36, then west on Federal Hwy U.S.-36 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then west on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-96, and then west on Federal Hwy U.S.-96 to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-283.

Low Plains Southeast Zone: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 to its junction with I-35, then southwest on I-35 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th Street, then west on NE 150th Street to its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-77, then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-77 to the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri State line, then north along the Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction with State Hwy K-68.

Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, and Wibaux.

Zone 2: The Counties of Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud, Treasure, and Yellowstone.

High Plains: That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. Hwy 183; south on U.S. Hwy 183 to U.S. Hwy 20; west on U.S. Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 7; south on NE Hwy 7 to NE Hwy 91; southwest on NE Hwy 91 to NE Hwy 2; southeast on NE Hwy 2 to NE Hwy 92; west on NE Hwy 92 to NE Hwy 40; south on NE Hwy 40 to NE Hwy 47; south on NE Hwy 47 to NE Hwy 23; east on NE Hwy 23 to U.S. Hwy 283; and south on U.S. Hwy 283 to the Kansas-Nebraska border.

Zone 1: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways and political boundaries beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border at U.S. Hwy 183; south along Hwy 183 to NE Hwy 12; east to NE Hwy 137; south to U.S. Hwy 20; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north to the Niobrara River; east along the Niobrara River to the Boyd County Line; north along the Boyd County line to NE Hwy 12; east to NE 26E Spur; north along the NE 26E Spur to the Ponca State Park boat ramp; north and west along the Missouri River to the Nebraska-South Dakota border; west along the Nebraska-South Dakota border to U.S. Hwy 183. Both banks of the Niobrara River in Keya Paha and Boyd Counties east of U.S. Hwy 183 shall be included in Zone 1.

Zone 2: Those areas of the State that are not contained in Zones 1, 3, or 4.

Zone 3: Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways, County roads, and political boundaries beginning at the Wyoming-Nebraska border at its northernmost intersection with the Interstate Canal; southeast along the Interstate Canal to the northern border of Scotts Bluff County; east along northern borders of Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties to Morrill County Road 125; south to Morrill County Rd 94; east to County Rd 135; south to County Rd 88; east to County Rd 147; south to County Rd 88; southeast to County Rd 86; east to County Rd 151; south to County Rd 80; east to County Rd 161; south to County Rd 76; east to County Rd 165; south to County Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy 26; east to County Rd 171; north to County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183; south to County Rd 64; east to County Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to County Rd 201; south to County Rd 60A; east to County Rd 203; south to County Rd 52; east to Keith County Line; north along the Keith County line to the northern border of Keith County; east along the northern boundaries of Keith and Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall School Rd; east to North Airport Road; south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to NE Hwy 47; south to NE Hwy 23; east on NE Hwy 23 to U.S. Hwy 283; south on U.S. Hwy 283 to the Kansas-Nebraska border; west along Kansas-Nebraska border to the Nebraska-Colorado border; north and west to the Wyoming-Nebraska border; north along the Wyoming-Nebraska border to its northernmost-intersection with the Interstate Canal.

Zone 4: Area encompassed by designated Federal and State highways and County Roads beginning at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 283 at the Kansas-Nebraska border; north to NE Hwy 23; west to NE Hwy 47; north to Dawson County Rd 769; east to County Rd 423; south to County Rd 766; east to County Rd 428; south to County Rd 763; east to NE Hwy 21; south to County Rd 761; east on County Rd 761 to County Road 437; south to the Dawson County Canal; southeast along Dawson County Canal; east to County Rd 444; south to ( print page 68523) U.S. Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 183; north to Buffalo County Rd 100; east to 46th Ave.; north to NE Hwy 40; east to NE Hwy 10; north to County Rd 220 and Hall County Husker Highway; east to Hall County S 70th Rd; north to NE Hwy 2; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north to Chapman Rd; east to 7th Rd; south to U.S. Hwy 30; north and east to NE Hwy 14; south to County Rd 22; west to County Rd M; south to County Rd 21; west to County Rd K; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy 2; south to U.S. Hwy I-80; west to Gunbarrel Rd (Hall/Hamilton County line); south to Giltner Rd; west to U.S. Hwy 281; south to W. 82nd St; west to Holstein Ave.; south to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy 10; north to Kearney County Rd R and Phelps County Rd 742; west to Gosper County Rd 433; south to N. Railway Street; west to Commercial Ave.; south to NE Hwy 23; west to Gosper County Rd 427; south to Gosper County Rd 737; west to Gosper County Rd 426; south to Gosper County Rd 735; east to Gosper County Rd 427; south to Furnas County Rd 276; west to Furnas County Rd 425.5/425; south to U.S. Hwy 34; east to NE Hwy 4; east to NE Hwy 10; south to U.S. Hwy 136; east to NE Hwy 14; south to NE Hwy 8; east to U.S. Hwy 81; north to NE Hwy 4; east to NE Hwy 15; north to U.S. Hwy 6; east to NE Hwy 33; east to SW 142 Street; south to W. Hallam Rd; east to SW 100 Rd; south to W. Chestnut Rd; west to NE Hwy 103; south to NE Hwy 4; west to NE Hwy 15; south to U.S. Hwy 136; east to Jefferson County Rd 578 Ave.; south to PWF Rd; east to NE Hwy 103; south to NE Hwy 8; east to U.S. Hwy 75; north to U.S. Hwy 136; east to the intersection of U.S. Hwy 136 and the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to the intersection with Federal Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-562 to the intersection with Nemaha County Rd 643A; south to the Trace; north along the Trace/Burlington Northern Railroad right-of-way to NE Hwy 2; west to U.S. Hwy 75; north to NE Hwy 2; west to NE Hwy 50; north to Otoe County Rd D; east to N. 32nd Rd; north to Otoe County Rd B; west to NE Hwy 50; north to U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy 63; north to NE Hwy 66; north and west to U.S. Hwy 77; north to NE Hwy 109; west along NE Hwy 109 and Saunders County Rd X to Saunders County 19; south to NE Hwy 92; west to NE Hwy Spur 12F; south to Butler County Rd 30; east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 27; west to County Rd W; south to County Rd 26; east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 21 (Seward County Line); west to NE Hwy 15; north to County Rd 34; west to County Rd H; south to NE Hwy 92; west to U.S. Hwy 81; south to NE Hwy 66; west to Dark Island Trail, north to Merrick County Rd M; east to Merrick County Rd 18; north to NE Hwy 92; west to NE Hwy 14; north to NE Hwy 52; west and north to NE Hwy 91; west to U.S. Hwy 281; south to NE Hwy 58; west to NE Hwy 11; west and south to NE Hwy 2; west to NE Hwy 68; north to NE Hwy L82A; west to NE Hwy 10; north to NE Hwy 92; west to U.S. Hwy 183; north to Round Valley Rd; west to Sargent River Rd; west to Sargent Rd; west to NE Hwy S21A; west to NE Hwy 2; north to NE Hwy 91 to North Loup Spur Rd; north to North Loup River Rd; north and east along to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd; east to Loup County Line; north along the Loup County Line to Loup;Brown County line; east along northern boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to NE Hwy 11; south to Cedar River Road; east and south to NE Hwy 70; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north to NE Hwy 70; east to NE Hwy 14; south to NE Hwy 39; southeast to NE Hwy 22; east to U.S. Hwy 81; southeast to U.S. Hwy 30; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south to the Missouri-Nebraska border; south to Kansas-Nebraska border; west along Kansas-Nebraska border to U.S. Hwy 283.

North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.

South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

High Plains: That portion of the State south and west of a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Hwy 83 and the South Dakota State line, then north along U.S. Hwy 83 and I-94 to ND Hwy 41, then north on ND Hwy 41 to ND Hwy 53, then west on ND Hwy 53 to U.S. Hwy 83, then north on U.S. Hwy 83 to U.S. Hwy 2, then west on U.S. Hwy 2 to the Williams County line, then north and west along the Williams and Divide County lines to the Canadian border.

Low Plains: The remainder of North Dakota.

High Plains: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas State line along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 33, east along OK 33 to OK 18, north along OK 18 to OK 51, west along OK 51 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west along U.S. 412 to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas State line.

Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.

High Plains: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the North Dakota State line and extending south along U.S. 83 to U.S. 14, east on U.S. 14 to Blunt, south on the Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, east and south on SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee's Corner, south on SD 50 to I-90, east on I-90 to SD 50, south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD 44 across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD 47, south on SD 47 to U.S. 18, east on U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the Nebraska State line.

Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along U.S. 212 to the Minnesota State line.

Low Plains South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47 and south of SD 44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line; south on SD 50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes Highway to U.S. 281; south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on SD 50 to the Bon Homme County line; the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50; and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.

Low Plains Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.

High Plains: That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Oklahoma State line along U.S. 183 to Vernon, south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.

Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana State line at Orange, Texas.

Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.

Zone C1: Big Horn, Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, Platte, and Washakie Counties; and Fremont County excluding the portions west or south of the Continental Divide.

Zone C2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties. ( print page 68524)

Zone C3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon County east of the Continental Divide.

North Zone: Game Management Units 1-5, those portions of Game Management Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County, and Game Management Units 7, 9, 11M, and 12A.

South Zone: Those portions of Game Management Units 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and Game Management Units 10 and 12B-46B.

Northeastern Zone: That portion of California lying east and north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines; west along the California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties east of a line from the intersection of Highway 95 with the California-Nevada State line; south on Highway 95 through the junction with Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to Vidal Junction; south through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line on a road known as “Aqueduct Road” also known as Highway 62 in San Bernardino County; southwest on Highway 62 to Desert Center Rice Road; south on Desert Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on Interstate 10 to its intersection with Wiley Well Road; south on Wiley Well Road to Wiley Well; southeast on Milpitas Wash Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on Blythe Ogilby Road also known as County Highway 34 to its intersection with Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road to its intersection with Interstate 8; east 7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection with the Andrade-Algodones Road/Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to its intersection with the U.S.-Mexico border at Los Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line beginning at the mouth of the Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; east along the Santa Maria River to where it crosses Highway 101-166 near the City of Santa Maria; north on Highway 101-166 east on Highway 166 to the junction with Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to the junction of Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to where it intersects Highway 178 at Walker Pass; east on Highway 178 to the junction of Highway 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the junction of Highway 58; east on Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 15; east on Interstate 15 to the junction with Highway 127; north on Highway 127 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada State line.

Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: All of Kings and Tulare Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.

Balance of State Zone: The remainder of California not included in the Northeastern, Colorado River, Southern, and the Southern San Joaquin Valley Zones.

Eastern Zone: Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties, those portions of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, and Mineral Counties west of the Continental Divide, those portions of Gunnison County except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (Game Management Units 521, 53, and 63), and that portion of Moffat County east of the northern intersection of Moffat County Road 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line, south along Moffat County Road 29 to the intersection of Moffat County Road 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead Reservoir State Park).

Western Zone: All areas west of the Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone.

Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private inholdings; Power County east of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39; and Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and Teton Counties.

Zone 2: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.

Zone 3: Power County west of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39, and Ada, Adams, Blaine, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Jerome, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington Counties.

Zone 4: Valley County.

Northeast Zone: Elko, Eureka, Lander, and White Pine Counties.

Northwest Zone: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe Counties.

South Zone: Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Nye Counties.

Moapa Valley Special Management Area: That portion of Clark County including the Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers.

Zone 1: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill Counties.

Zone 2: The remainder of Oregon not included in Zone 1.

Northern Zone: Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties, and that part of Toole County north of I-80.

Southern Zone: The remainder of Utah not included in the Northern Zone.

East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

West Zone: The remainder of Washington not included in the East Zone.

Snake River Zone: Beginning at the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park and the Continental Divide; south ( print page 68525) along the Continental Divide to Union Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S. Road 600); west and south along the Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605; south along U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; along the national forest boundary to the Idaho State line; north along the Idaho State line to the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park; east along the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the Continental Divide.

Balance of State Zone: The remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion of Wyoming not included in the Snake River Zone.

South Zone: Same as for ducks.

North Zone: Same as for ducks.

AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County west of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with I-91 in Hartford, and then extending south along I-91 to its intersection with the Hartford-Middlesex County line.

NAP-H Unit: That part of the State east of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with I-91 in Hartford and then extending south along I-91 to State Street in New Haven; then south on State Street to Route 34, west on Route 34 to Route 8, south along Route 8 to Route 110, south along Route 110 to Route 15, north along Route 15 to the Milford Parkway, south along the Milford Parkway to I-95, north along I-95 to the intersection with the east shore of the Quinnipiac River, south to the mouth of the Quinnipiac River, and then south along the eastern shore of New Haven Harbor to the Long Island Sound.

Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) Unit: Remainder of the State not included in AP and NAP-H Units.

North NAP-H Zone: Same as North Zone for ducks.

Coastal NAP-L Zone: Same as Coastal Zone for ducks.

South NAP-H Zone: Same as South Zone for ducks.

Eastern Unit: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.

Western Unit: Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.

Resident Population (RP) Zone: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, and Washington Counties; that portion of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; that portion of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line; and that portion of Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania State line.

AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones (see duck zones).

AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck zones).

Special Late Season Area: The Central Zone and that portion of the Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of the Cape Cod Canal, north to the New Hampshire State line.

Same zones as for ducks.

AP Zone: North and South Zones (see duck zones).

NAP Zone: The Coastal Zone (see duck zones).

Special Late Season Area: In northern New Jersey, that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River; then south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with Route 440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection with Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its intersection with Route 94; then west along Route 94 to the toll bridge in Columbia; then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River to the beginning point. In southern New Jersey, that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to Route 70; then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route 47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548 to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then north to the beginning point.

Lake Champlain Goose Area: The same as the Lake Champlain Waterfowl Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying east and north of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New York-Canada international boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 9B to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, south along Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-Vermont boundary.

Northeast Goose Area: The same as the Northeastern Waterfowl Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying north of a continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate 81 to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 22 at Greenwich Junction, north along Route 22 to Washington County Route 153, east along CR 153 to the New York-Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone. ( print page 68526)

East Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying inside of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route 146 to Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to Schenectady County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route 23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest along Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville, west along Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81 to the point of beginning.

West Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within a continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary) meets the international boundary with Canada, south to the shore of Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo, west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271 to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5 to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246 to Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast along Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18 (Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34, east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south along Route 53 to Steuben County Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route 54A (near Pulteney), south along Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87, east along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 96, east along Route 96 to Steuben County Route 114, east along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route 23, east and southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28, southeast along Route 28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south along Route 409 to Route 14, south along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 in Odessa, north along Route 228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along Route 79 to Route 366 in Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, northeast along Route 13 to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 81 to the north shore of the Salmon River to shore of Lake Ontario, extending generally northwest in a straight line to the nearest point of the international boundary with Canada, south and west along the international boundary to the point of beginning.

Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route 156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A, southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route 443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route 32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road, southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts Content Road (Greene County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, south along Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along Route 23A to Interstate Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19) near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 209, southwest on Route 209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, southeast along the New York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New Jersey boundary, southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to Route 210 near Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange County Route 5, northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in the Village of Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast along Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route 107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south bank of Moodna Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to the New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New Windsor-Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary (middle of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to Interstate Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County boundary, east along the county boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary, north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New York-Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts boundary to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of beginning.

Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area): That area of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue (which becomes ( print page 68527) County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route 25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR) 104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to international waters.

Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area): That area of Westchester County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of Sound Road (just east of Wading River Marsh); then south on Sound Road to North Country Road; then west on North Country Road to Randall Road; then south on Randall Road to Route 25A; then west on Route 25A to the Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then south on the Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on the Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on the Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to international waters.

Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area): That area of Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose Areas, as defined above.

South Goose Area: The remainder of New York State, excluding New York City.

Northeast Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of counties: Bertie (that portion north and east of a line formed by NC 45 at the Washington County line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford County line), Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.

RP Zone: Remainder of the State.

Resident Canada and Cackling Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania area east of route SR 97 from the Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to the intersection of U.S. Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, and south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.

AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S. Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.

Special Area for Canada and Cackling Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).

Canada and Cackling Goose Area: Statewide except for the following area:

East of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded to the north by S-14-25, to the east by Hwy 260, and to the south by the markers delineating the channel of the Santee River.

West of U.S. 301: That portion of Clarendon County bounded on the north by S-14-26 extending southward to that portion of Orangeburg County bordered by Hwy 6.

AP Zone: The area to the east of the following line: the “Blue Ridge” (Loudoun-Clarke Counties border) at the West Virginia-Virginia border, south to Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the western edge of Loudoun, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Madison, Greene, Albemarle, and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate 64 to Interstate 95 in Richmond, then south along Interstate 95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in the City of Suffolk, then south to the North Carolina border.

RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the AP Zone.

Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and Yell Counties.

Remainder of State: That portion of the State outside of the Northwest Zone.

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.

Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Goose Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70 to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo's Road, south along St. Leo's Road to Modoc Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry route, and southwest on the Modoc Ferry route across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.

South Zone: Same zone as for ducks.

South Central Zone: Same zone as for ducks.

Western: The area that includes all counties west of and including Hardin, Nelson, Washington, Marion, Taylor, Adair, and Cumberland Counties.

Eastern: The area that includes Bullitt County in its entirety and all other counties not included in the Western goose zone.

North Zone: Same as North duck zone.

Middle Zone: Same as Middle duck zone.

South Zone: Same as South duck zone.

Allegan County Game Management Unit (GMU): That area encompassed by a line beginning at the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue ( print page 68528) to 46th Street, northerly along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-196 to the point of beginning.

Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 25, T10N R15W, as posted.

Reelfoot Zone: The lands and waters within the boundaries of Reelfoot Lake WMA only.

Remainder of State: The remainder of the State.

North and South Zones: Same zones as for ducks.

Mississippi River Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway and the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending northerly along the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city limit to the Minnesota State line.

North Park Area: Jackson County.

South Park Area: Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, and Teller Counties.

San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio Grande Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral, Hinsdale, Archuleta, and San Juan Counties east of the Continental Divide.

Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.

Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25.

Zone 1: Same as Zone 1 for ducks and coots.

Zone 2: Same as Zone 2 for ducks and coots.

Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the intersection of the Nebraska-South Dakota border and U.S. Hwy 83, south to U.S. Hwy 20, east to NE Hwy 14, north along NE Hwy 14 to NE Hwy 59 and County Road 872, west along County Road 872 to the Knox County line, north along the Knox County line to the Nebraska-South Dakota border, west along the Nebraska-South Dakota border to U.S. Hwy 83. Where the Niobrara River forms the boundary, both banks of the river are included in the Niobrara Unit.

Platte River Unit: The area bounded starting at the northernmost intersection of the Interstate Canal at the Nebraska-Wyoming border, south along the Nebraska-Wyoming border to the Nebraska-Colorado border, east and south along the Nebraska-Colorado border to the Nebraska-Kansas border, east along the Nebraska-Kansas border to the Nebraska-Missouri border, north along the Nebraska-Missouri and Nebraska-Iowa borders to the Burt-Washington Counties line, west along the Burt-Washington Counties line to U.S. Hwy 75, south to Dodge County Road 4/Washington County Road 4, west to U.S. Hwy 77, south to U.S. Hwy 275, northwest to U.S. Hwy 91, west to NE Hwy 45, north to NE Hwy 32, west to NE Hwy 14, north to NE Hwy 70, west to U.S. Hwy 281, south to NE Hwy 70, west along NE Hwy 70/91 to NE Hwy 11, north to the Holt County line, west along the northern border of Garfield, Loup, Blaine, and Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line, south along the Thomas-Hooker Counties lines to the McPherson County line, east along the south border of Thomas County to the Custer County line, south along the Custer-Logan Counties line to NE Hwy 92, west to U.S. Hwy 83, north to NE Hwy 92, west to NE Hwy 61, north to NE Hwy 2, west along NE Hwy 2 to the corner formed by Garden, Grant, and Sheridan Counties, west along the north borders of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the intersection with the Interstate Canal, north and west along the Interstate Canal to the intersection with the Nebraska-Wyoming border.

North-Central Unit: Those portions of the State not in the Niobrara and Platte River zones.

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area: The area bounded by the junction of NE Hwy 92 and NE Hwy 15, south along NE Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west along NE Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 34, west along U.S. Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north along U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. Hwy 30, east along U.S. Hwy 30 to NE Hwy 92, east along NE Hwy 92 to the beginning.

Remainder of State: The remainder of Nebraska.

Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia Counties.

Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New Mexico.

Missouri River Canada and Cackling Goose Zone: The area within and bounded by a line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; then north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; then north on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then west on ND Hwy 200; then north on ND Hwy 8 to the Mercer-McLean Counties line; then east following the county line until it turns south toward Garrison Dam; then east along a line (including Mallard Island) of Lake Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; then east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; then east on I-94 to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; then west along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.

Western North Dakota Canada and Cackling Goose Zone: Same as the High Plains Unit for ducks, mergansers, and coots, excluding the Missouri River Canada Goose Zone.

Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.

Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Unit: The Counties of Campbell, Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, Roberts, and Walworth; that portion of Perkins County west of State Highway 75 and south of State Highway 20; that portion of Dewey County north of Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8, Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 9, and the section of U.S. Highway 212 east of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 8 junction; that portion of Potter County east of U.S. Highway 83; that portion of Sully County east of U.S. Highway 83; portions of Hyde, Buffalo, Brule, and Charles Mix Counties north and east of a line beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line on State Highway 34, east to Lees Boulevard, southeast to State ( print page 68529) Highway 34, east 7 miles to 350th Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th Avenue, south and east on State Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th Street to U.S. Highway 281, and north on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles Mix-Douglas Counties boundary; that portion of Bon Homme County north of State Highway 50; those portions of Yankton and Clay Counties north of a line beginning at the junction of State Highway 50 and 306th Street/County Highway 585 in Bon Homme County, east to U.S. Highway 81, then north on U.S. Highway 81 to 303rd Street, then east on 303rd Street to 444th Avenue, then south on 444th Avenue to 305th Street, then east on 305th Street/Bluff Road to State Highway 19, then south to State Highway 50 and east to the Clay/Union County Line; Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Butte, Corson, Davison, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Haakon, Hand, Hanson, Harding, Hutchinson, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, McPherson, Meade, Mellette, Miner, Moody, Oglala Lakota (formerly Shannon), Sanborn, Spink, Todd, Turner, and Ziebach Counties; and those portions of Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties outside of an area bounded by a line beginning at the junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota State line and Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street) west to its junction with Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th Avenue), south on Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th Avenue) to Hartford, then south on Minnehaha County Highway 151 (463rd Avenue) to State Highway 42, east on State Highway 42 to State Highway 17, south on State Highway 17 to its junction with Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike Road), and east on Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike Road) to the South Dakota-Iowa State line, then north along the South Dakota-Iowa and South Dakota-Minnesota border to the junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota State line and Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th Street).

Unit 1: Same as that for the Special Early Canada and Cackling Goose Unit.

Unit 2: All of South Dakota not included in Unit 1 and Unit 3.

Unit 3: Bennett County.

Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S. 287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then east on I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.

Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.

West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.

Zone G1: Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, and Washakie Counties.

Zone G1A: Goshen and Platte Counties.

Zone G2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties.

Zone G3: Albany and Laramie Counties; and that portion of Carbon County east of the Continental Divide.

Zone G4: Fremont County excluding those portions south or west of the Continental Divide.

Northeastern Zone: That portion of California lying east and north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to main street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.

Klamath Basin Special Management Area: Beginning at the intersection of Highway 161 and Highway 97; east on Highway 161 to Hill Road; south on Hill Road to N Dike Road West Side; east on N Dike Road West Side until the junction of the Lost River; north on N Dike Road West Side until the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway; east on Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway until N Dike Road East Side; south on the N Dike Road East Side; continue east on N Dike Road East Side to Highway 111; south on Highway 111/Great Northern Road to Highway 120/Highway 124; west on Highway 120/Highway 124 to Hill Road; south on Hill Road until Lairds Camp Road; west on Lairds Camp Road until Willow Creek; west and south on Willow Creek to Red Rock Road; west on Red Rock Road until Meiss Lake Road/Old State Highway; north on Meiss Lake Road/Old State Highway to Highway 97; north on Highway 97 to the point of origin.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties east of a line from the intersection of Highway 95 with the California-Nevada State line; south on Highway 95 through the junction with Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to Vidal Junction; south through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside Counties line on a road known as “Aqueduct Road” also known as Highway 62 in San Bernardino County; southwest on Highway 62 to Desert Center Rice Road; south on Desert Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on Interstate 10 to its intersection with Wiley Well Road; south on Wiley Well Road to Wiley Well; southeast on Milpitas Wash Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on Blythe Ogilby Road also known as County Highway 34 to its intersection with Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road to its intersection with Interstate 8; east 7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection with the Andrade-Algodones Road/Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to its intersection with the U.S.-Mexico border at Los Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding the Colorado River zone) south and east of a line beginning at the mouth of the Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; east along the Santa Maria River to where it crosses Highway;166 near the City of Santa Maria; north on Highway;166; east on Highway 166 to the junction with Highway 99; south on Highway 99 to the junction of Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to where it intersects Highway 178 at Walker Pass; ( print page 68530) east on Highway 178 to the junction of Highway 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the junction of Highway 58; east on Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 15; east on Interstate 15 to the junction with Highway 127; north on Highway 127 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada State line.

Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway 86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on Highway 115 to Weist Road; north on Weist Road to Flowing Wells Road; northeast on Flowing Wells Road to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Road; south on Frink Road to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland Marina Road; southwest on Niland Marina Road to the old Imperial County boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.

Balance of State Zone: The remainder of California not included in the Northeastern, Colorado River, and Southern Zones.

North Coast Special Management Area: Del Norte and Humboldt Counties.

Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: That area bounded by a line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on Hahn Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to the junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly on CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.

Zone 1: Bannock, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and Teton Counties; Bingham County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Power County east of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39; and all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private in-holdings.

Zone 2: Bonneville County.

Zone 3: Ada, Adams, Blaine, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Jerome, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington Counties; and Power County west of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39.

Zone 4: Bear Lake County; Bingham County within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County, except that portion within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Zone 5: Valley County.

Zone 6: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.

Same as for early Canada and cackling goose seasons.

Zone 1: Bannock County; Bingham County except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Power County east of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39; and all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private in-holdings.

Zone 2: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and Teton Counties; Bingham County within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County except within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Zone 3: Adams, Blaine, Camas, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Idaho, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Oneida Counties; and Power County west of State Highway 37 and State Highway 39.

Zone 4: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington Counties.

Zone 1: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private in-holdings; Bannock County; Bingham County east of the west bank of the Snake River, west of the McTucker boat ramp access road, and east of the American Falls Reservoir bluff, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power County below the American Falls Reservoir bluff, and within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Zone 2: Franklin and Oneida Counties; Bingham County west of the west bank of the Snake River, east of the McTucker boat ramp access road, and west of the American Falls Reservoir bluff; Power County, except below the American Falls Reservoir bluff and those lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington Counties.

Zone 4: Adams, Blaine, Camas, Clearwater, Custer, Idaho, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, and Nez Perce Counties.

Zone 5: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and Teton Counties; Bingham County within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and Caribou County except within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Zone 6: Valley County.

Zone 7: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.

North Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located north of I-40.

South Zone: The Pacific Flyway portion of New Mexico located south of I-40.

Northwest Permit Zone: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties.

Tillamook County Management Area: That portion of Tillamook County beginning at the point where Old Woods Road crosses the south shores of Horn Creek, north on Old Woods Road to Sand Lake Road at Woods, north on Sand Lake Road to the intersection with McPhillips Drive, due west (~200 yards) from the intersection to the Pacific coastline, south along the Pacific coastline to a point due west of the western end of Pacific Avenue in Pacific City, east from this point (~250 yards) to Pacific Avenue, east on Pacific Avenue to Brooten Road, south and then east on Brooten Road to Highway 101, north on Highway 101 to Resort Drive, north on Resort Drive to a point due west of the south shores of Horn Creek at its confluence with the Nestucca River, due east (~80 yards) across the Nestucca River to the south shores of Horn Creek, east along the south shores of Horn Creek to the point of beginning.

Southwest Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties east ( print page 68531) of Highway 101, and Josephine and Jackson Counties.

South Coast Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties west of Highway 101.

Eastern Zone: Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler Counties.

Mid-Columbia Zone: Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, and Wasco Counties.

East Box Elder County Zone: Boundary begins at the intersection of the eastern boundary of Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management Area and SR-83 (Promontory Road); east along SR-83 to I-15; south on I-15 to the Perry access road; southwest along this road to the Bear River Bird Refuge boundary; west, north, and then east along the refuge boundary until it intersects the Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management Area boundary; east and north along the Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management Area boundary to SR-83.

Wasatch Front Zone: Boundary begins at the Weber-Box Elder Counties line at I-15; east along Weber County line to U.S.-89; south on U.S.-89 to I-84; east and south on I-84 to I-80; south on I-80 to U.S.-189; south and west on U.S.-189 to the Utah County line; southeast and then west along this line to the Tooele County line; north along the Tooele County line to I-80; east on I-80 to Exit 99; north from Exit 99 along a direct line to the southern tip of Promontory Point and Promontory Road; east and north along this road to the causeway separating Bear River Bay from Ogden Bay; east on this causeway to the southwest corner of Great Salt Lake Mineral Corporation's (GSLMC) west impoundment; north and east along GSLMC's west impoundment to the northwest corner of the impoundment; north from this point along a direct line to the southern boundary of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge; east along this southern boundary to the Perry access road; northeast along this road to I-15; south along I-15 to the Weber-Box Elder Counties line.

Southern Zone: Boundary includes Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Washington, and Wayne Counties, and that part of Tooele County south of I-80.

Northern Zone: The remainder of Utah not included in the East Box Elder County, Wasatch Front, and Southern Zones.

Area 1: Skagit and Whatcom Counties, and that portion of Snohomish County west of Interstate 5.

Area 2 Inland (Southwest Permit Zone): Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties, and that portion of Grays Harbor County east of Highway 101.

Area 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit Zone): Pacific County and that portion of Grays Harbor County west of Highway 101.

Area 3: All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2 Coastal, and 2 Inland.

Area 4: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.

Area 5: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.

Teton County Zone: Teton County.

Balance of State Zone: Remainder of the State.

Northern Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties.

Balance of State Zone: The remainder of the State not included in the Northern Zone.

Puget Sound Zone: Clallam, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.

Coastal Zone: Pacific County.

Open Area: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Day, Deuel, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.

Open Area: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Kootenai Counties.

Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, and Toole Counties and those portions of Pondera and Teton Counties lying east of U.S. 287-89.

Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.

Open Area: Begins at I-15 and Exit 365 (SR 13/83); west and north on SR-83 to I-84; west on I-84 to SR-30; southwest on SR-30 to the Nevada-Utah State line; south on this State line to I-80; east on I-80 to I-15; north on I-15 to Exit 365 (SR 13/83).

South Zone: Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.

North Zone: Remainder of the State.

Northwest Zone: The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98 and east of the St. Marks River).

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190, east along U.S. Highway 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate Highway 12 to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate Highway 10 to the Mississippi border.

North Zone: That portion of the State north and west of a line extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to the Louisiana State line.

South Zone: The remainder of Mississippi.

North Zone: North of I-40 from the New Mexico-Arizona border to U.S. Hwy. 54 at Tucumcari; U.S. Hwy. 54 from Tucumcari to the New Mexico-Texas border. ( print page 68532)

South Zone: South of I-40 from the New Mexico-Arizona border to U.S. Hwy. 54 at Tucumcari; U.S. Hwy. 54 from Tucumcari to the New Mexico-Texas border.

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.

Central Zone: That portion of the State lying between the North and South Zones.

South Zone: That portion of the State south and west of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east, and north along Loop 1604 to I-10 east of San Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.

Special White-winged Dove Area: Same as the South Zone.

North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line following I-40 from the Arizona border east to U.S. Hwy 54 at Tucumcari and U.S. Hwy 54 at Tucumcari east to the Texas border.

South Zone: The remainder of the State not included in the North Zone.

North Zone: Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties.

North Zone: North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from Socorro to the Texas State line.

Western Washington: The State of Washington excluding those portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

North Zone: That portion of the State north of NJ 70.

Open Area: That area north of Interstate 20 from the Georgia State line to the interchange with Interstate 65, then east of Interstate 65 to the interchange with Interstate 22, then north of Interstate 22 to the Mississippi State line.

Northwest Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.

Southeast Crane Zone: That portion of the State south of Interstate 40 and east of State Highway 56.

Remainder of State: That portion of Tennessee outside of the Southeast Crane Zone.

Open Area: The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park (Jackson County).

Central Zone: That portion of the State within an area bounded by a line beginning where I-35 crosses the Kansas-Oklahoma border, then north on I-35 to Wichita, then north on I-135 to Salina, then north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border, then west along the Kansas-Nebraska border to its intersection with Hwy 283, then south on Hwy 283 to the intersection with Hwy 18/24, then east along Hwy 18 to Hwy 183, then south on Hwy 183 to Route 1, then south on Route 1 to the Oklahoma border, then east along the Kansas-Oklahoma border to where it crosses I-35.

West Zone: That portion of the State west of the western boundary of the Central Zone.

Regular Season Open Area: The Central Flyway portion of the State except for that area south and west of Interstate 90.

Special Season Open Areas

Zone 7: Golden Valley and Wheatland Counties and those portions of Stillwater and Sweetgrass Counties north of I-90.

Zone 8: Carbon County.

Regular-Season Open Area: Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, and Roosevelt Counties.

Middle Rio Grande Valley Area: The Central Flyway portion of New Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.

Estancia Valley Area: Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance, and Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14, north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285 west to NM 55 in Mountainair.

Southwest Zone: Area bounded on the south by the New Mexico-Mexico border; on the west by the New Mexico-Arizona border north to Interstate 10; on the north by Interstate 10 east to U.S. 180, north to NM 26, east to NM 27, north to NM 152, and east to Interstate 25; on the east by Interstate 25 south to Interstate 10, west to the Luna County line, and south to the New Mexico-Mexico border.

Area 1: That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.

Area 2: That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.

Open Area: That portion of the State west of I-35. ( print page 68533)

Open Area: That portion of the State lying west of a line beginning at the South Dakota-North Dakota border and State Highway 25, south on State Highway 25 to its junction with State Highway 34, east on State Highway 34 to its junction with U.S. Highway 81, then south on U.S. Highway 81 to the South Dakota-Nebraska border.

Zone A: That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at the international toll bridge at Laredo; then northeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo; then north along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio; then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction; then north along U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of Childress; then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line.

Zone B: That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line; then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County; then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth; then southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio; then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 in the town of Junction; then north along U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of Childress; then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line; then south along the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the south bank of the Red River; then eastward along the vegetation line on the south bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.

Zone C: The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.

Closed areas:

a. That portion of the State lying east and north of a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with I-35W in Fort Worth, then southwest along I-35 to its junction with U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, then east along U.S. Highway 290 to its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, then south and east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway 45 in Houston, then south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway 342, then to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and east along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State line.

b. That portion of the State lying within the boundaries of a line beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County line and the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, then west along the County line to Park Road 22 in Nueces County, then north and west along Park Road 22 to its junction with State Highway 358 in Corpus Christi, then west and north along State Highway 358 to its junction with State Highway 286, then north along State Highway 286 to its junction with Interstate Highway 37, then east along Interstate Highway 37 to its junction with U.S. Highway 181, then north and west along U.S. Highway 181 to its junction with U.S. Highway 77 in Sinton, then north and east along U.S. Highway 77 to its junction with U.S. Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and east along U.S. Highway 87 to its junction with State Highway 35 at Port Lavaca, then north and east along State Highway 35 to the south end of the Lavaca Bay Causeway, then south and east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its junction with the Port Lavaca Ship Channel, then south and east along the Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico, and then south and west along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Kleberg-Nueces Counties line.

Area 4: All lands within the Bureau of Reclamation's Riverton and Boysen Unit boundaries; those lands within Boysen State Park south of Cottonwood Creek, west of Boysen Reservoir, and south of U.S. Highway 20-26; and all non-Indian owned fee title lands within the exterior boundaries of the Wind River Reservation, excluding those lands within Hot Springs County.

Area 6: Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie Counties.

Area 7: Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.

Area 8: Johnson, Natrona, and Sheridan Counties.

Zone 1: Beginning at the junction of the New Mexico State line and U.S. Hwy 80; south along the State line to the U.S.-Mexico border; west along the border to the San Pedro River; north along the San Pedro River to the junction with Arizona Hwy 77; northerly along Arizona Hwy 77 to the Gila River; northeast along the Gila River to the San Carlos Indian Reservation boundary; south then east and north along the reservation boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; southeast on U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. Hwy 191; south on U.S. Hwy 191 to the 352 exit on I-10; east on I-10 to Bowie-Apache Pass Road; southerly on the Bowie-Apache Pass Road to Arizona Hwy 186; southeasterly on Arizona Hwy 186 to Arizona Hwy 181; south on Arizona Hwy 181 to the West Turkey Creek-Kuykendall cutoff road; southerly on the Kuykendall cutoff road to Rucker Canyon Road; easterly on Rucker Canyon Road to the Tex Canyon Road; southerly on Tex Canyon Road to U.S. Hwy 80; northeast on U.S. Hwy 80 to the New Mexico State line.

Zone 2: Beginning at I-10 and the New Mexico State line; north along the State line to Arizona Hwy 78; southwest on Arizona Hwy 78 to U.S. Hwy 191; northwest on U.S. Hwy 191 to Clifton; westerly on the Lower Eagle Creek Road (Pump Station Road) to Eagle Creek; northerly along Eagle Creek to the San Carlos Indian Reservation boundary; southerly and west along the reservation boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; southeast on U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. Hwy 191; south on U.S. Hwy 191 to I-10; easterly on I-10 to the New Mexico State line.

Zone 3: Beginning on I-10 at the New Mexico State line; westerly on I-10 to the Bowie-Apache Pass Road; southerly on the Bowie-Apache Pass Road to AZ Hwy 186; southeast on AZ Hwy 186 to AZ Hwy 181; south on AZ Hwy 181 to the West Turkey Creek-Kuykendall cutoff road; southerly on the Kuykendall cutoff road to Rucker Canyon Road; easterly on the Rucker Canyon Road to Tex Canyon Road; southerly on Tex Canyon Road to U.S. Hwy 80; northeast on U.S. Hwy 80 to the New Mexico State line; north along the State line to I-10.

Area 1: All of Bear Lake County and all of Caribou County except that portion lying within the Grays Lake Basin.

Area 2: All of Teton County except that portion lying west of State Highway 33 and south of Packsaddle Road (West 400 North) and north of the North Cedron Road (West 600 South) and east of the west bank of the Teton River.

Area 3: All of Fremont County except the Chester Wetlands Wildlife Management Area.

Area 4: All of Jefferson County.

Area 5: All of Bannock County east of Interstate 15 and south of U.S. Highway 30; and all of Franklin County. ( print page 68534)

Area 6: That portion of Oneida County within the boundary beginning at the intersection of the Idaho-Utah border and Old Highway 191, then north on Old Highway 191 to 1500 S, then west on 1500 S to Highway 38, then west on Highway 38 to 5400 W, then south on 5400 W to Pocatello Valley Road, then west and south on Pocatello Valley Road to 10000 W, then south on 10000 W to the Idaho-Utah border, then east along the Idaho-Utah border to the beginning point.

Zone 1: Those portions of Deer Lodge County lying within the following described boundary: beginning at the intersection of I-90 and Highway 273, then westerly along Highway 273 to the junction of Highway 1, then southeast along said highway to Highway 275 at Opportunity, then east along said highway to East Side County road, then north along said road to Perkins Lane, then west on said lane to I-90, then north on said interstate to the junction of Highway 273, the point of beginning. Except for sections 13 and 24, T5N, R10W; and Warm Springs Pond number 3.

Zone 2: That portion of the Pacific Flyway, located in Powell County lying within the following described boundary: beginning at the junction of State Routes 141 and 200, then west along Route 200 to its intersection with the Blackfoot River at Russell Gates Fishing Access Site (Powell-Missoula County line), then southeast along said river to its intersection with the Ovando-Helmville Road (County Road 104) at Cedar Meadows Fishing Access Site, then south and east along said road to its junction with State Route 141, then north along said route to its junction with State Route 200, the point of beginning.

Zone 3: Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison Counties.

Zone 4: Broadwater County.

Zone 5: Cascade and Teton Counties.

Zone 6: Meagher County.

Cache County: Cache County.

East Box Elder County: That portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction; west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber Counties line; east on the Box Elder-Weber Counties line to the Box Elder-Cache Counties line; north on the Box Elder-Cache Counties line to the Utah-Idaho State line.

Rich County: Rich County.

Uintah County: Uintah and Duchesne Counties.

Area 1: All of the Bear River and Ham's Fork River drainages in Lincoln County.

Area 2: All of the Salt River drainage in Lincoln County south of the McCoy Creek Road.

Area 3: All lands within the Bureau of Reclamation's Eden Project in Sweetwater County.

Area 5: Uinta County.

North Zone: State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.

Gulf Coast Zone: State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10 (Unimak Island only).

Southeast Zone: State Game Management Units 1-4.

Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone: State Game Management Unit 10 (except Unimak Island).

Kodiak Zone: State Game Management Unit 8.

Ruth Cay Closure Area: The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. Croix.

Municipality of Culebra Closure Area: All of the municipality of Culebra.

Desecheo Island Closure Area: All of Desecheo Island.

Mona Island Closure Area: All of Mona Island.

El Verde Closure Area: Those areas of the municipalities of Rio Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes 956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest Boundary whether private or public.

Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas: All of Cidra Municipality and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172 as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763 to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the beginning.

Maureen D. Foster,

Chief of Staff, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

[ FR Doc. 2024-18864 Filed 8-22-24; 11:15 am]

BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

• Executive Orders

Reader Aids

Information.

• About This Site
• Legal Status
• Accessibility
• No Fear Act
• Continuity Information

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Bailey lives with her brother Hunter and her father Bug, who raises them alone in a squat in northern Kent. Bug doesn't have much time to devote to them. Bailey looks for attention and adven... Read all Bailey lives with her brother Hunter and her father Bug, who raises them alone in a squat in northern Kent. Bug doesn't have much time to devote to them. Bailey looks for attention and adventure elsewhere. Bailey lives with her brother Hunter and her father Bug, who raises them alone in a squat in northern Kent. Bug doesn't have much time to devote to them. Bailey looks for attention and adventure elsewhere.

• Andrea Arnold
• Barry Keoghan
• Franz Rogowski
• James Nelson-Joyce
• 1 User review
• 31 Critic reviews
• 69 Metascore
• 2 nominations

Top cast 11

• Dionne's Mum
• (as Sarah Harber)

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Barry Keoghan dropped out of Gladiator II (2024) to star in this movie instead.

User reviews 1

• May 18, 2024

The 2024 Festival Films You Need to Know

• When will Bird be released? Powered by Alexa
• November 8, 2024 (United States)
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Gravesend, Kent, England, UK (Misc Locations)
• Pinky Promise
• FirstGen Content
• Access Entertainment
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 59 minutes
• Dolby Digital

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

Main Navigation

• Contact NeurIPS
• Code of Ethics
• Code of Conduct
• Create Profile
• Journal To Conference Track
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Proceedings
• Future Meetings
• Exhibitor Information
• Privacy Policy

NeurIPS 2024 Datasets and Benchmarks Track

If you'd like to become a reviewer for the track, or recommend someone, please use this form .

The Datasets and Benchmarks track serves as a venue for high-quality publications, talks, and posters on highly valuable machine learning datasets and benchmarks, as well as a forum for discussions on how to improve dataset development. Datasets and benchmarks are crucial for the development of machine learning methods, but also require their own publishing and reviewing guidelines. For instance, datasets can often not be reviewed in a double-blind fashion, and hence full anonymization will not be required. On the other hand, they do require additional specific checks, such as a proper description of how the data was collected, whether they show intrinsic bias, and whether they will remain accessible. The Datasets and Benchmarks track is proud to support the open source movement by encouraging submissions of open-source libraries and tools that enable or accelerate ML research.

The previous editions of the Datasets and Benchmarks track were highly successful; you can view the accepted papers from 2021 , 2002 , and 2023 , and the winners of the best paper awards 2021 , 2022 and 2023

CRITERIA. W e are aiming for an equally stringent review as the main conference, yet better suited to datasets and benchmarks. Submissions to this track will be reviewed according to a set of criteria and best practices specifically designed for datasets and benchmarks , as described below. A key criterion is accessibility: datasets should be available and accessible , i.e. the data can be found and obtained without a personal request to the PI, and any required code should be open source. We encourage the authors to use Croissant format ( https://mlcommons.org/working-groups/data/croissant/ ) to document their datasets in machine readable way.   Next to a scientific paper, authors should also submit supplementary materials such as detail on how the data was collected and organised, what kind of information it contains, how it should be used ethically and responsibly, as well as how it will be made available and maintained.

RELATIONSHIP TO NeurIPS.  Submissions to the track will be part of the main NeurIPS conference , presented alongside the main conference papers. Accepted papers will be officially published in the NeurIPS proceedings .

SUBMISSIONS.  There will be one deadline this year. It is also still possible to submit datasets and benchmarks to the main conference (under the usual review process), but dual submission to both is not allowed (unless you retracted your paper from the main conference). We also cannot transfer papers from the main track to the D&B track. Authors can choose to submit either single-blind or double-blind . If it is possible to properly review the submission double-blind, i.e., reviewers do not need access to non-anonymous repositories to review the work, then authors can also choose to submit the work anonymously. Papers will not be publicly visible during the review process. Only accepted papers will become visible afterward. The reviews themselves are not visible during the review phase but will be published after decisions have been made. The datasets themselves should be accessible to reviewers but can be publicly released at a later date (see below). New authors cannot be added after the abstract deadline and they should have an OpenReview profile by the paper deadline. NeurIPS does not tolerate any collusion whereby authors secretly cooperate with reviewers, ACs or SACs to obtain favourable reviews.

SCOPE. This track welcomes all work on data-centric machine learning research (DMLR) and open-source libraries and tools that enable or accelerate ML research, covering ML datasets and benchmarks as well as algorithms, tools, methods, and analyses for working with ML data. This includes but is not limited to:

• New datasets, or carefully and thoughtfully designed (collections of) datasets based on previously available data.
• Data generators and reinforcement learning environments.
• Data-centric AI methods and tools, e.g. to measure and improve data quality or utility, or studies in data-centric AI that bring important new insight.
• Advanced practices in data collection and curation that are of general interest even if the data itself cannot be shared.
• Frameworks for responsible dataset development, audits of existing datasets, identifying significant problems with existing datasets and their use
• Benchmarks on new or existing datasets, as well as benchmarking tools.
• In-depth analyses of machine learning challenges and competitions (by organisers and/or participants) that yield important new insight.
• Systematic analyses of existing systems on novel datasets yielding important new insight.

Read our original blog post for more about why we started this track.

Important dates

• Abstract submission deadline: May 29, 2024
• Full paper submission and co-author registration deadline: Jun 5, 2024
• Supplementary materials submission deadline: Jun 12, 2024
• Review deadline - Jul 24, 2024
• Release of reviews and start of Author discussions on OpenReview: Aug 07, 2024
• Rebuttal deadline - Aug 16, 2024
• End of author/reviewer discussions on OpenReview: Aug 31, 2024
• Author notification: Sep 26, 2024
• Camera-ready deadline: Oct 30, 2024 AOE

Note: The site will start accepting submissions on April 1 5 , 2024.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: My work is in scope for this track but possibly also for the main conference. Where should I submit it?

A: This is ultimately your choice. Consider the main contribution of the submission and how it should be reviewed. If the main contribution is a new dataset, benchmark, or other work that falls into the scope of the track (see above), then it is ideally reviewed accordingly. As discussed in our blog post, the reviewing procedures of the main conference are focused on algorithmic advances, analysis, and applications, while the reviewing in this track is equally stringent but designed to properly assess datasets and benchmarks. Other, more practical considerations are that this track allows single-blind reviewing (since anonymization is often impossible for hosted datasets) and intended audience, i.e., make your work more visible for people looking for datasets and benchmarks.

Q: How will paper accepted to this track be cited?

A: Accepted papers will appear as part of the official NeurIPS proceedings.

Q: Do I need to submit an abstract beforehand?

A: Yes, please check the important dates section for more information.

Q: My dataset requires open credentialized access. Can I submit to this track?

A: This will be possible on the condition that a credentialization is necessary for the public good (e.g. because of ethically sensitive medical data), and that an established credentialization procedure is in place that is 1) open to a large section of the public, 2) provides rapid response and access to the data, and 3) is guaranteed to be maintained for many years. A good example here is PhysioNet Credentialing, where users must first understand how to handle data with human subjects, yet is open to anyone who has learned and agrees with the rules. This should be seen as an exceptional measure, and NOT as a way to limit access to data for other reasons (e.g. to shield data behind a Data Transfer Agreement). Misuse would be grounds for desk rejection. During submission, you can indicate that your dataset involves open credentialized access, in which case the necessity, openness, and efficiency of the credentialization process itself will also be checked.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A submission consists of:

• Please carefully follow the Latex template for this track when preparing proposals. We follow the NeurIPS format, but with the appropriate headings, and without hiding the names of the authors. Download the template as a bundle here .
• Papers should be submitted via OpenReview
• Reviewing is in principle single-blind, hence the paper should not be anonymized. In cases where the work can be reviewed equally well anonymously, anonymous submission is also allowed.
• During submission, you can add a public link to the dataset or benchmark data. If the dataset can only be released later, you must include instructions for reviewers on how to access the dataset. This can only be done after the first submission by sending an official note to the reviewers in OpenReview. We highly recommend making the dataset publicly available immediately or before the start of the NeurIPS conference. In select cases, requiring solid motivation, the release date can be stretched up to a year after the submission deadline.
• Dataset documentation and intended uses. Recommended documentation frameworks include datasheets for datasets , dataset nutrition labels , data statements for NLP , data cards , and accountability frameworks .
• URL to website/platform where the dataset/benchmark can be viewed and downloaded by the reviewers. 
• URL to Croissant metadata record documenting the dataset/benchmark available for viewing and downloading by the reviewers. You can create your Croissant metadata using e.g. the Python library available here: https://github.com/mlcommons/croissant
• Author statement that they bear all responsibility in case of violation of rights, etc., and confirmation of the data license.
• Hosting, licensing, and maintenance plan. The choice of hosting platform is yours, as long as you ensure access to the data (possibly through a curated interface) and will provide the necessary maintenance.
• Links to access the dataset and its metadata. This can be hidden upon submission if the dataset is not yet publicly available but must be added in the camera-ready version. In select cases, e.g when the data can only be released at a later date, this can be added afterward (up to a year after the submission deadline). Simulation environments should link to open source code repositories
• The dataset itself should ideally use an open and widely used data format. Provide a detailed explanation on how the dataset can be read. For simulation environments, use existing frameworks or explain how they can be used.
• Long-term preservation: It must be clear that the dataset will be available for a long time, either by uploading to a data repository or by explaining how the authors themselves will ensure this
• Explicit license: Authors must choose a license, ideally a CC license for datasets, or an open source license for code (e.g. RL environments). An overview of licenses can be found here: https://paperswithcode.com/datasets/license
• Add structured metadata to a dataset's meta-data page using Web standards (like schema.org and DCAT ): This allows it to be discovered and organized by anyone. A guide can be found here: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/data-types/dataset . If you use an existing data repository, this is often done automatically.
• Highly recommended: a persistent dereferenceable identifier (e.g. a DOI  minted by a data repository or a prefix on identifiers.org ) for datasets, or a code repository (e.g. GitHub, GitLab,...) for code. If this is not possible or useful, please explain why.
• For benchmarks, the supplementary materials must ensure that all results are easily reproducible. Where possible, use a reproducibility framework such as the ML reproducibility checklist , or otherwise guarantee that all results can be easily reproduced, i.e. all necessary datasets, code, and evaluation procedures must be accessible and documented.
• For papers introducing best practices in creating or curating datasets and benchmarks, the above supplementary materials are not required.
• For papers resubmitted after being retracted from another venue: a brief discussion on the main concerns raised by previous reviewers and how you addressed them. You do not need to share the original reviews.
• For the dual submission and archiving, the policy follows the NeurIPS main track paper guideline .

Use of Large Language Models (LLMs): We welcome authors to use any tool that is suitable for preparing high-quality papers and research. However, we ask authors to keep in mind two important criteria. First, we expect papers to fully describe their methodology, and any tool that is important to that methodology, including the use of LLMs, should be described also. For example, authors should mention tools (including LLMs) that were used for data processing or filtering, visualization, facilitating or running experiments, and proving theorems. It may also be advisable to describe the use of LLMs in implementing the method (if this corresponds to an important, original, or non-standard component of the approach). Second, authors are responsible for the entire content of the paper, including all text and figures, so while authors are welcome to use any tool they wish for writing the paper, they must ensure that all text is correct and original.

REVIEWING AND SELECTION PROCESS

Reviewing will be single-blind, although authors can also submit anonymously if the submission allows that. A datasets and benchmarks program committee will be formed, consisting of experts on machine learning, dataset curation, and ethics. We will ensure diversity in the program committee, both in terms of background as well as technical expertise (e.g., data, ML, data ethics, social science expertise). Each paper will be reviewed by the members of the committee. In select cases where ethical concerns are flagged by reviewers, an ethics review may be performed as well.

Papers will not be publicly visible during the review process. Only accepted papers will become visible afterward. The reviews themselves are also not visible during the review phase but will be published after decisions have been made. Authors can choose to keep the datasets themselves hidden until a later release date, as long as reviewers have access.

The factors that will be considered when evaluating papers include:

• Utility and quality of the submission: Impact, originality, novelty, relevance to the NeurIPS community will all be considered. 
• Reproducibility: All submissions should be accompanied by sufficient information to reproduce the results described i.e. all necessary datasets, code, and evaluation procedures must be accessible and documented. We encourage the use of a reproducibility framework such as the ML reproducibility checklist to guarantee that all results can be easily reproduced. Benchmark submissions in particular should take care to ensure sufficient details are provided to ensure reproducibility. If submissions include code, please refer to the NeurIPS code submission guidelines .  
• Was code provided (e.g. in the supplementary material)? If provided, did you look at the code? Did you consider it useful in guiding your review? If not provided, did you wish code had been available?
• Ethics: Any ethical implications of the work should be addressed. Authors should rely on NeurIPS ethics guidelines as guidance for understanding ethical concerns.  
• Completeness of the relevant documentation: Per NeurIPS ethics guidelines , datasets must be accompanied by documentation communicating the details of the dataset as part of their submissions via structured templates (e.g. TODO). Sufficient detail must be provided on how the data was collected and organized, what kind of information it contains,  ethically and responsibly, and how it will be made available and maintained. 
• Licensing and access: Per NeurIPS ethics guidelines , authors should provide licenses for any datasets released. These should consider the intended use and limitations of the dataset, and develop licenses and terms of use to prevent misuse or inappropriate use.  
• Consent and privacy: Per  NeurIPS ethics guidelines , datasets should minimize the exposure of any personally identifiable information, unless informed consent from those individuals is provided to do so. Any paper that chooses to create a dataset with real data of real people should ask for the explicit consent of participants, or explain why they were unable to do so.
• Ethics and responsible use: Any ethical implications of new datasets should be addressed and guidelines for responsible use should be provided where appropriate. Note that, if your submission includes publicly available datasets (e.g. as part of a larger benchmark), you should also check these datasets for ethical issues. You remain responsible for the ethical implications of including existing datasets or other data sources in your work.
• Legal compliance: For datasets, authors should ensure awareness and compliance with regional legal requirements.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The following committee will provide advice on the organization of the track over the coming years: Sergio Escalera, Isabelle Guyon, Neil Lawrence, Dina Machuve, Olga Russakovsky, Joaquin Vanschoren, Serena Yeung.

DATASETS AND BENCHMARKS CHAIRS

Lora Aroyo, Google Francesco Locatello, Institute of Science and Technology Austria Lingjuan Lyu, Sony AI

Contact: [email protected]

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

Rachel Maddow: What Worries Me Most About Election Night

By Rachel Maddow

Ms. Maddow is the host of “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC and the MSNBC podcast “Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra. ”

On Dec. 1, 1960, the far-right preacher and racist demagogue Gerald L.K. Smith sent out a fund-raising appeal, headlined with a shocking claim in red type across the top: “HOLD YOUR BREATH: KENNEDY MAY HAVE LOST.”

The 1960 election had indeed been close, but the Democrat, John F. Kennedy, had prevailed, and his Republican opponent, Richard M. Nixon, had congratulated Kennedy on election night, over shouted protests from his supporters.

Three weeks later, Smith, the leader of what he called the Christian Nationalist Crusade, was telling his followers it was possible to reverse that result.

If Smith’s followers would only send him money, he would continue what he called his “subtle campaign of pressure” to persuade governors in states won by Kennedy that they should refuse to send Kennedy electors to Washington for the Electoral College count.

“This,” Smith promised, “could turn out to be the most shocking and sensational Electoral College vote in history.”

It was not. There were no shenanigans in the Electoral College count. Kennedy received 303 votes to Nixon’s 219, and the transition of power proceeded peacefully.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .