---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 4901"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "4901"
heading: "Findings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/4901"
units:
  - "Chapter 69 — Wild Exotic Bird Conservation"
---

# §4901. Findings


The Congress finds the following:

- (1) In [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to habitat loss and local use, the international pet trade in wild-caught [exotic birds](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) is contributing to the decline of [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) in the wild, and the mortality associated with the trade remains unacceptably high.
- (2) The [United States](/usc/16/4903.md?p=8), as the world’s largest importer of [exotic birds](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) and as a Party to the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1), should play a substantial role in finding effective solutions to these problems, including assisting countries of origin in implementing programs of wild bird conservation, and ensuring that the market in the [United States](/usc/16/4903.md?p=8) for [exotic birds](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) does not operate to the detriment of the survival of [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) in the wild.
- (3) Sustainable utilization of [exotic birds](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) has the potential to create economic value in them and their habitats, which will contribute to their conservation and promote the maintenance of biological diversity generally.
- (4) Utilization of [exotic birds](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) that is not sustainable should not be allowed.
- (5) Broad international attention has focused on the serious conservation and welfare problems which currently exist in the trade in wild-caught animals, including [exotic birds](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2).
- (6) Many countries have chosen not to export their wild birds for the pet trade. Their decisions should be respected and their efforts should be supported.
- (7) Several countries that allow for the export of their wild birds often lack the means to develop or effectively implement scientifically based [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k), and these countries should be assisted in developing and implementing [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) to enable them to ensure that their wild bird trade is conducted humanely and at sustainable levels.
- (8) The major [exotic bird](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) exporting countries are Parties to the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1).
- (9) The [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1) recognizes that trade in [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) that are threatened with extinction, or that may become so, should be subject to strict regulation.
- (10) The necessary population assessments, monitoring programs, and appropriate remedial measures for [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) listed in Appendix II of the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1) are not always being undertaken in order to maintain [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) at levels above which they might become eligible for inclusion in Appendix I of the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1).
- (11) Resolutions adopted pursuant to the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1) recommend that the Parties to the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1) [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) appropriate measures regarding trade in [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) of [exotic birds](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) that have significantly high mortality rates in transport, including suspension of trade for commercial purposes between Parties when appropriate.
- (12) Article XIV provides that the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1) in no way affects the right of any Party to the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1) to adopt stricter domestic measures for the regulation of trade in all [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7), whether or not listed in an Appendix to the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1).
- (13) The [United States](/usc/16/4903.md?p=8) prohibits the export of all birds [native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) to the [United States](/usc/16/4903.md?p=8) that are caught in the wild.
- (14) This chapter provides a series of nondiscriminatory measures that are necessary for the conservation of [exotic birds](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2), and furthers the obligations of the [United States](/usc/16/4903.md?p=8) under the [Convention](/usc/16/4903.md?p=1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–440, title I, § 102, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2224.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title

Pub. L. 102–440, title I, § 101, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2224, provided that: “This title [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992’.”