Bird Registration and Ringing in England
Changes to Bird Registration and Ringing Requirements in England From 1 October 2008
Schedule 4 was amended in England on 1 October 2008. The following birds must be registered with the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service and will be issued with a blue registration document:
Golden Eagle |
Aquila chrysaetos |
Goshawk |
Accipiter gentilis |
Honey Buzzard |
Pernis apivorous |
Marsh Harrier |
Circus aeruginosus |
Montagu’s Harrier |
Circus pygargus |
Osprey |
Pandion haliaetus |
White-tailed Eagle |
Haliaeetus albicilla |
Unless they have a valid Article 10 certificate issued by the UK CITES Management Authority (the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service - WLRS), the following birds must also be registered and will be issued with a blue registration document:
Merlin |
Falco columbarius |
Peregrine Falcon |
Falco peregrinus |
Hybrids are not required to be registered.
Since 1 October 2008 the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service have not issued any rings for Schedule 4 birds in England.
Birds must be marked in accordance with Article 66 of EC Regulation 865/2006, that is, with a uniquely marked closed leg-ring of a size which cannot be removed from the bird when its leg is fully grown.
- Breeders are responsible for obtaining and fitting their own breeder’s rings. We can supply breeders with a list of ring suppliers but cannot recommend which supplier should be used.
- Breeders are responsible for ensuring their closed rings are uniquely numbered. There is no prescriptive requirement for how this should be done, but could for example include a post code, breeder’s initials, tel no (etc) in the sequential number
- If a ring number has already been recorded on the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service database, we will inform you that we cannot register it under that ring number, and the bird must be microchipped and registered under that number.
- In addition, where the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service are satisfied that the physical or behavioural properties of a bird do not allow the safe fitting of a ring, the bird can be registered under a microchipped number.
- If a bird is to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild within a short period of time it does not need to be marked and will be registered under a UR licence (i.e a licence to keep a bird unringed) issued by the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service for an appropriate period to be determined on a case by case basis.
If a bird is so disabled that a vet considers it is likely to remain in captivity permanently it must be microchipped and registered by the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service under that number.
In England, all Schedule 4 birds are listed on CITES and will therefore be registered under their CITES compliant ring or microchip number.
Birds which lose their rings must be microchipped and registered under their microchip number.
Transfers between Countries
The best advice for someone acquiring a Schedule 4 bird is to contact the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service for advice if they are unsure about the controls in their country.
Bird Registration and Ringing in Wales
Changes to Bird Registration requirements in Wales From 23 April 2009
Registration
Schedule 4 has been amended within Wales with effect from 23 April 2009. The following birds must be registered with the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service and will be issued with a blue registration document:
Golden Eagle |
Aquila chrysaetos |
Goshawk |
Accipiter gentilis |
Honey Buzzard |
Pernis apivorous |
Haliaeetus albicilla |
Circus aeruginosus |
Montagu’s Harrier |
Circus pygargus |
Osprey |
Pandion haliaetus |
White-tailed Eagle |
|
With effect from 23 July 2009 unless they have a valid Article 10 certificate issued by the UK CITES Management Authority (the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service - WLRS), the following birds must also be registered and will be issued with a blue registration document:
Merlin |
Falco columbarius |
Peregrine Falcon |
Falco peregrinus |
Hybrids are not required to be registered.
RingsThe Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service no longer issue rings for any Schedule 4 birds in Wales.
Birds must be marked in accordance with Article 66 of EC Regulation 865/2006, that is, with a uniquely marked closed leg-ring of a size which cannot be removed from the bird when its leg is fully grown.
- Breeders are responsible for obtaining and fitting their own breeder’s rings. We can supply breeders with a list of ring suppliers but cannot recommend which supplier should be used.
- Breeders are responsible for ensuring their closed rings are uniquely numbered. There is no prescriptive requirement for how this should be done, but could for example include a post code, breeder’s initials, tel no (etc) in the sequential number
- If a ring number has already been recorded on the the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service database we will inform you that we cannot register it under that ring number, and the bird must be microchipped and registered under that number.
- In addition, where the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service are satisfied that the physical or behavioural properties of a bird do not allow the safe fitting of a ring, the bird can be registered under a microchip number.
- If a bird is to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild within a short period of time it does not need to be marked and will be registered under a UR licence (i.e a licence to keep a bird unringed issued by Wales (link to contact details for National Assembly) for an appropriate period to be determined on a case by case basis.
- If a bird is so disabled that a vet considers it is likely to remain in captivity permanently it must be microchipped and registered under that number.
In Wales, all Schedule 4 birds are listed on CITES and will therefore be registered under their CITES compliant ring or microchip number.
Birds which lose their rings must be microchipped and registered under their microchip number.
The best advice for someone acquiring a Schedule 4 bird is to contact the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service for advice if they are unsure about the controls in their country.
(Link to case officer contact details)
Bird Registration and Ringing in Scotland
There is no change to Schedule 4 Here. All birds on the Schedule and their hybrids must be registered with the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service and will be issued with a blue registration document.
The Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service will continue to issue rings for captive bred Schedule 4 birds in Scotland.
- If a bird is to be rehabilitated and released back to the wild within a short period of time it does not need to be marked and will be registered under a UR licence (i.e a licence to keep a bird unringed) issued by Scotland for an appropriate period to be determined on a case by case basis.
- If a bird is so disabled that a vet considers it is likely to remain in captivity permanently it must be microchipped and registered under that number.
- CITES listed Schedule 4 birds will be registered under the bird’s CITES compliant ring or microchipped number.
- Non-CITES listed Schedule 4 birds will need to be registered under a unique identifier. This may be a microchip, unique breeder’s ring or a UR licence number (i.e a licence to keep a bird unringed issued by Scotland
Please contact the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service (link to contact details) for advice if you are unsure how your bird should be marked / identified.
- CITES listed Schedule 4 birds must be microchipped and registered under their microchip number.
- Non-CITES listed Schedule 4 birds must be issued with a UR licence (i.e a licence to keep a bird unringed) issued by Scotland and registered under the licence number.
Transfers between Countries
The best advice for someone acquiring a Schedule 4 bird is to contact the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service for advice if they are unsure about the controls in their country.
For the latest news on registration requirements in Scotland please click here
Page last modified:23 September 2008
Page published:28 July 2008