Egrets were almost extinct in the 1900s, hunted for their graceful, long, white feathers. Today, the bird is protected and their numbers have rebounded. Unfortunately, the Lyre bird in Australia did not meet a similar outcome and is still dangerously close to extinction.

All birds naturally shed their feathers about once a year. This is the preferred method of collection as it causes no stress on bird populations and is by far the most humane sourcing of exotic feathers. We work with local US farmers who raise white peacocks and collect the molted feathers. Exotic feathers from around the world are all purchased through permitted brokers who are fully compliant with domestic and international laws and conventions.

The ethics of down feathers are controversial, with some sourcing practices being inhumane, but ethically sourced and certified down is available. You can identify ethical down by looking for certifications like the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) or Global Traceable Down Standard (GTDS), which ensure no live-plucking or force-feeding occurs and that animals are not harmed. Alternatively, you can choose products with recycled or pre-loved down, which avoids new animal welfare issues entirely.