Bird crime
All wild birds, their nests, and their eggs are protected by law. It is against the law to intentionally kill, injure, or take wild birds, unless carried out under a licence.
This protection applies to all species, including pigeons, gulls, crows, and parakeets. It also covers birds of prey including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, buzzards, red kites and hen harriers.
Nesting birds
It is also an offence to intentionally take, damage, or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. This includes taking or destroying the eggs of any wild bird unless carried out under licence.
There are some species that have extra legal protections. These include peregrine falcons, barn owls, and red kites. For these birds it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb these birds while they are:
- building a nest
- on or near a nest containing eggs or young
- caring for dependent young
Causing suffering through ‘anti-bird netting' or similar
It is also an offence when a bird becomes trapped in anti-bird netting and is unable to escape, resulting in unnecessary suffering being caused through harm, pain or injury. Property owners are responsible for making sure this doesn’t happen. This includes the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of bird netting, and responding promptly if any bird becomes trapped.
Catapulting
Catapulting is where someone uses a catapult to launch or shoot something at wildlife. It is against the law to do this. It's also a crime to possess anything intended for killing or injuring birds, such as a catapult.
It commonly affects:
- waterfowl, such as ducks, geese and swans
- other birds and wild mammals, such as pigeons, gulls, squirrels and foxes
- domestic animals
How to spot bird crime
Members of the public can help identify bird crime offences by being alert to the following:
- dead birds of prey lying next to dead pigeons, rabbits, pheasants, or other poisoned baits. You must not touch these
- live birds of prey caught in any trap
- individuals or groups carrying catapults, ball bearings, marbles, or pebbles, particularly in locations where incidents have happened before.
- any spring traps set out in the open that are not within a cage tunnel or other enclosed tunnel structure
- any 'pole traps', which are spring traps set up on the top of a post
When looking out for offences against nesting birds, members of the public can help by being alert to:
- building, renovation, or demolition works during nesting season affecting roof spaces, eaves, bridges, or other known nesting locations
- tree, hedge, or vegetation work in the nesting season, especially in spring and early summer
- evidence of active nests being deliberately removed, damaged, or destroyed
- eggs or chicks being removed from the nests
When looking out for anti-bird netting offences, members of the public can help by being alert to:
- birds visibly trapped, entangled, or hanging from netting on buildings, railway bridges, underpasses, or similar structures
- dead or decomposing birds caught within netting
It is extremely important that you do not touch any dead birds, but please continue to report them.
If birds are injured or nestlings are found vulnerable or abandoned, you may also contact a local wildlife rehabilitation organisation via www.helpwildlife.co.uk.
What to do if you suspect a bird crime
If you come across a dead bird or suspicious object, this could be a wildlife crime scene. Every piece of information may be crucial in prosecuting an offender.
You should:
- take photographs or videos if it is safe to do so, or make a sketch as soon as possible, including the surroundings and any landmarks to help officers relocate the crime scene
- use a coin or notebook for scale if you're photographing an object, but don't disturb anything
- note the location as accurately as possible by grid reference, GPS, or what3words
- note a description of any suspects and any vehicle numbers
- note the time and date, and what happened
You should not:
- put yourself at risk to gather information. Your safety is always the priority
- disturb the scene by walking around it unnecessarily and trampling possible evidence
- move anything
- touch any traps, dead birds, or suspected poison baits. Many poisons, such as carbofuran, are extremely dangerous even in very small amounts and can be absorbed through the skin
- approach anyone you suspect of committing crime, as they may become violent or aggressive
If you also know or suspect someone of someone injuring or killing birds with crossbows, catapults or any other means report this.
Report it
If a crime happening is right now, or the suspect is still at the scene, call 999. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.
If you spot something illegal or suspicious, you can report it online.
Other ways to report
You can also report bird crime anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Additional information
A variety of cage and spring traps, plus snares, can legally be used to control certain mammals and birds.
Please be aware that if you damage them, you may be committing an offence of criminal damage.