Why aren't pigeons or starlings protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Act?

• A. They are not native to the US
• B. They are exempt due to urban status
• C. They are mammals
• D. They are endangered

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act apply to birds that are part of North America’s native fauna. Pigeons and European starlings were introduced from Europe and are not native to the United States, so they aren’t covered by the Act. Since the Act’s protections follow native migratory species that occur in the U.S., non-native introduced birds aren’t automatically protected. The other options don’t fit because these birds are not mammals, they’re not endangered, and protection isn’t based on urban status.