Birds and licensing

All wild birds in Scotland are given protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).  Some more rare, threatened or vulnerable species are given extra protection, for instance against disturbance during the breeding season. 

Licences are available for certain purposes to permit actions that might otherwise constitute an offence.  Follow the links below to find out more about different types of bird licence: 

• Licences for science, research, ringing and conservation
• Licences for photography
• Licences for public health and safety issues 
• Licences for preventing serious damage (to livestock, fisheries, agriculture etc.)
• Licences to control predators to conserve wild birds  
• General licences
• Licences for possession, taxidermy etc.