Just be doubly sure that all the feathers that the zookeeper gives you are NON-Native species. The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) is native and possession of feathers runs afoul (a fowl!) of the Migratory Bird Act. Buzzards, such as the turkey vulture and the black vulture, come under the Migratory Bird Act as well as all the raptor protection acts. The fines on the birds of prey can run as high as a year in prison and $5,000 per feather! Even a slap on the wrist and confiscation isn't worth it because you are now labelled as a criminal with past offenses and you will never ever see a break from them again.
BUT if the zookeeper gifts you with feathers from the EXOTIC birds, you are good to go. Just ask that they provide you with documentation of transfer/possession because despite the assumption of innocence, you will have to prove they are not native species.
For example, I have several feathers from an African auger buzzard. Even I can't tell them from the same feathers on the redtail hawk I keep! It would take genetic testing to determine species. I don't have the $600 to spend on that lab test, sorry all the same! Fortunately, I have documentation from the bird's keeper along with photos of the bird to assist the USF&W in determination.
