Yes. It is illegal to take or destroy any wild birds' eggs and the penalties, if convicted, are imprisonment and/or a fine. It is also illegal to intentionally or recklessly kill, take or injure a wild bird, and damage or destroy its nest. If you know someone who is stealing wild birds' eggs, then contact Police Scotland by dialling 101 and speak to the wildlife officer who will be able to help you.
No. All wild birds are protected. However, there are certain exceptions that may be covered by a Scottish Government General Licence. More information can be obtained by contacting:
Scottish Government
Landscapes & Habitats Team
1-J South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0131 244 7381
All wild birds in Scotland are protected from intentional or reckless killing injuring or taking. Some birds classed as game can only be killed at certain times and some other species may be killed or taken under the Scottish Government General Licence.
More information can be obtained by contacting:
Scottish Government
Rural Directorate
Landscapes & Habitats Team
1-J South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0131 244 7381
As long as the birds have not been taken from the wild. Some require to be ringed and registered with the Government.
More information can be obtained by contacting:
Scottish Government
Rural Directorate
Landscapes & Habitats Team
1-J South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0131 244 7381
It is an offence to cut down a hedge or tree intentionally or recklessly whilst there are birds nesting in it.
Reckless is a term often used in legal definitions and in this context, it means that if you cut the tree down and you knew there was a chance that birds were nesting there and you didn't check (and there were birds nesting there), then you will have been reckless and therefore guilty of the offence.
The penalties are imprisonment and/or a fine. If there is more than one bird, nest or egg then there will be a separate fine for each one.
Care should be taken in buying animals or birds from adverts in the newspapers. Some birds of prey and animals require a certificate, called Article 10, before they can be sold.
Contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency for a full list of animals and birds that require to be accompanied by an Article 10 certificate. Please see the links in Related Information for further details.
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Swans are wild birds. All wild birds are protected and it is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure a wild bird.
If you see an injured swan, then contact the SSPCA. Do not approach as swans can attack and you may injure yourself or further distress/injure the bird.
SSPCA - 03000 999 999
DEFRA have issued guidance for members of the public with regards to when it is appropriate to contact them with regards to concerns about avian flu. If there is:
you should contact the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 5pm). Alternatively, you can email them at defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
If there is only one dead wild/garden bird in your garden then you should not contact DEFRA but either leave it alone or follow their advice for disposal on the website which can be found at www.defra.gov.uk. Please be aware that the guidance may change quickly if there are cases of avian influenza.
