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Wildlife Management and Licensing: Other birds
Legal status
This section describes the management and licensing arrangements for all bird species, except fish-eating birds, general licence birds and gamebirds. Separate sections detail arrangements for these species.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA 1981) provides that all wild birds are protected and cannot be killed or taken except under licence, birds with special protection under Schedule 1 of the Act also cannot be disturbed at the nest without a licence. The Act also prohibits or controls certain methods of killing or taking except under licence. Certain exceptions to this general rule apply.
Licences may be issued by Natural England under section 16(1) of the WCA 1981 to kill or take (including relocating) wild birds where there is no other satisfactory solution.
Licences can be issued for the following purposes, all application forms are available below and should be completed and returned to the address on the form:
- preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland waters
- preserving public health and safety (including air safety)
- preventing the spread of disease
- conserving wild birds
- conserving flora (plants) and fauna (animals)
- scientific research or education
- photography
Please note, there is no power to grant licences for the purpose of preventing serious damage to property with respect to birds.
Advice & leaflets - Resolving problems involving birds
Problems can often be resolved without recourse to a licence. If you require guidance contact the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service who will either assist you directly or put you in touch with your local Wildlife Management Adviser. Advisers can offer more specific guidance to you over the telephone. Advisory leaflets are available which describe some of the approaches available. There are also a number of answers to frequently asked questions 
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How to apply for a licence
If you wish to apply for a licence in most cases you will need to complete application form which can be downloaded below and posted to the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service at the address on the form. For photography, science, research or conservation applications you may complete applications online. Please note that we are currently updating all our forms to allow electronic submission. In urgent cases, applications may be accepted by facsimile. If you are unable to download a form they can be obtained directly from the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service. There is no charge for this licence or for advice.
Please note, separate licensing arrangements apply to fish-eating birds, general licence birds, and game birds if your problem relates to damage or public health and safety.
Following receipt of your completed application, a Wildlife Management Adviser may contact you to arrange a visit to the site where the problem is occurring. The Adviser will assess the situation and provide guidance on the remedial options available.
We aim to process damage and health and safety licence applications in 30 working days from date of receipt and science, education and conservation cases in 15 working days.
Application forms including guidance
Application and guidance notes for a licence to kill or take birds in relation to damage to crops or public health and safety (non-piscivorous) WML-A08
Application and guidance notes for a licence to kill or take birds in relation to science, education or conservation WML-A33
Application for a licence to kill wild birds in the course of falconry WML-A41
Application for a licence to disturb Schedule 1 birds: Science, Education & Conservation - Species List
This application can be completed Online or with form WML-A27Application for a licence to disturb Schedule 1 birds: Photography - Species List
This application can be completed Online or with form WML-A28
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