---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 C.F.R. § 21.4"
title: "50"
number: "21.4"
heading: "Scope of regulations."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/50/21.4"
---

# §21.4. Scope of regulations.

- (a) Migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs, lawfully acquired prior to the effective date of Federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ([16 U.S.C. 703-712](/usc/16/703-712.md)) may be possessed or transported without a permit, but may not be imported, exported, purchased, sold, bartered, or offered for purchase, sale or barter, and all shipments of such birds must be marked as provided by [part 14](/cfr/50/part14.md) of this subchapter: Provided, no exemption from any statute or regulation shall accrue to any offspring of such migratory birds.
- (b) Except as set forth in paragraphs [(b)(1)](#b-1) and [(2)](#b-2) of this section, the regulations in this part do not apply to the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) or the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), for which regulations are provided in [part 22](/cfr/50/part22.md) of this subchapter:
  - (1) In this part in [subpart B](/cfr/50/subpartB.md), which sets forth regulatory authorizations for migratory birds, the following sections of this part apply to the migratory birds listed in [50 CFR 10.13](/cfr/50/10.13.md), including the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos):
    - (i) [§ 21.16](/cfr/50/21.16.md): Authorization—salvage;
    - (ii) [§ 21.22](/cfr/50/21.22.md): Authorization—licensed veterinarians;
    - (iii) [§ 21.32](/cfr/50/21.32.md): Authorization—mortality events;
    - (iv) [§ 21.34](/cfr/50/21.34.md): Authorization—natural resource agency employees; and
    - (v) [§ 21.40](/cfr/50/21.40.md): Authorization—law enforcement personnel.
  - (2) In this part in [subpart C](/cfr/50/subpartC.md), which sets forth specific permit provisions, the following sections of this part apply to the migratory birds listed in [50 CFR 10.13](/cfr/50/10.13.md), including the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos):
    - (i) [§ 21.63](/cfr/50/21.63.md): Taxidermist permits;
    - (ii) [§ 21.70](/cfr/50/21.70.md): Banding or marking permits;
    - (iii) [§ 21.76](/cfr/50/21.76.md): Rehabilitation permits; and
    - (iv) [§ 21.82](/cfr/50/21.82.md): Falconry standards and falconry permitting.
- (c) The provisions of this part are in addition to, and are not in lieu of other regulations of this subchapter B which may require a permit or prescribe additional restrictions or conditions for the importation, exportation, and interstate transportation of wildlife (see also [part 13](/cfr/50/part13.md)).

## Notes

### Amendments

[39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 46 FR 42680, Aug. 24, 1981; 68 FR 61137, Oct. 27, 2003; 73 FR 59465, Oct. 8, 2008. Redesignated and amended at 87 FR 880, Jan. 7, 2022; 89 FR 107038, Dec. 31, 2024]

### Source

Source: 39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 87 FR 880, Jan. 7, 2022.

### Authority

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703-712.

### Source

Source: 39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 46 FR 42680, Aug. 24, 1981; 68 FR 61137, Oct. 27, 2003; 73 FR 59465, Oct. 8, 2008. Redesignated and amended at 87 FR 880, Jan. 7, 2022; 89 FR 107038, Dec. 31, 2024]