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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jim M." data-source="post: 1224871" data-attributes="member: 60675">Thanks for the info.  The law provides for the appropriate authorities to issue permits for possession of migratory birds.  (see here: <a href="http://www.fws.gov/permits/mbpermits/birdbasics.html" target="_blank">http://www.fws.gov/permits/mbpermits/birdbasics.html</a>).  So in addition to selective enforcement, it would also be possible to issue permits to qualified private breeders to eliminate legal problems for those who are in possession of migratory birds for beneficial purposes.  I do not know if this is ever done or has been considered.  But I would frown upon, and would hope the law and authorities would frown upon, random people capturing migratory birds for pets.  Perhaps in the case of American Goldfinches and House Finches, which are abundant and only marginally migratory, their possession by a few could be overlooked (though I personally do not like the idea).  (There is also an issue as to whether birds bred in captivity are covered by the MBTA -- I believe some courts have held that in some circumstances they are not -- I am not sure of the current state of the law.  So there may be nothing to "overlook" in the case of captive bred birds.)  But I think neotropical migrants would be another matter.  best,Jim</blockquote>