In the UK the protection of wild birds comes under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and states that all wild birds, their nest and their eggs are protected by law

There is however a list of Species exempt from this Act and it is likely that your pest birds come within this. For full details of the species that are controlled and protected under this Act please visit Natural England


The list includes:

• Greater Canada Goose

• Crow

• Dove, Collared

• Gull, Great Black-backed

• Gull, Common

• Jackdaw

• Jay

• Magpie

• Pigeon, Feral

• Rook

• Woodpigeon