Removing and disposing of dead wild birds
How to dispose of dead wild birds or ask for them to be removed.
Applies to England
Do not touch dead wild birds
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you touch any dead birds, droppings, feathers or material that has touched the dead bird.
You should report dead wild birds.
Reports help explain where bird flu is in Great Britain and in which types of wild birds.
Not all dead wild birds have been infected with bird flu.
Removing dead wild birds on public land, private land and managed estates
If you want to get dead wild birds removed, you should:
- contact your local authority if they’re on public land
- contact the landowner or land manager if they’re on private land or a managed estate
Rules for local authorities, landowners and land managers
If you’re a local authority, landowner or land manager, you must remove dead wild birds if they’re a risk to human health.
You should also consider removing dead wild birds if they are:
- on a residential premises
- in an area used by children or pets
- on a public right of way or an area people often visit
- in an area where wild birds regularly feed, breed or roost
- in an area where animals are likely to scavenge them
You must cover any costs.
If you decide to dispose of dead wild birds, you must dispose of them as a category 1 animal by-product if:
- they’re in an area where bird flu has been confirmed
- you think the birds could be infected with a disease such as bird flu
You can use specialist waste contractors to remove dead wild birds.
Landowners or land managers may also be able to get help from their local authority.
If you decide to dispose of dead wild birds and you do not suspect disease, you do not need to dispose of them as a category 1 animal by-product. For guidance, contact:
- a commercial waste disposal service
- the local authority
You can download posters to put up on your site if there’s a risk of bird flu.
Disposing of small numbers of dead garden birds found at your home
You can report small numbers of dead garden birds to Garden Wildlife Health.
If you find small numbers of dead garden birds at your home (domestic residential properties only) you can dispose of them in your household or municipal waste bin, or you can bury them.
If you dispose of a dead wild bird with your household or municipal waste, you should:
-
Pick it up wearing disposable gloves or a plastic bag over your hand.
-
Put the bird in a plastic bag and tie it. Make sure the bird does not touch the outside of the bag.
-
Put the bird in a second (preferably leak proof) plastic bag, along with the gloves or plastic bag you used to pick it up and tie it. Take care not to touch the outside of the gloves with bare hands.
-
Put it in your outside household or municipal waste bin.
-
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
If you bury a dead wild bird, you should:
- dig a hole at least 60cm deep to stop animals digging it up
- not bury it in a plastic bag (if you use a plastic bag to pick the bird up put it in your outside household or municipal waste bin)
- not bury it near any watercourses or in a place where it could contaminate local water supplies
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you’ve finished
Disposing of large numbers of dead wild birds found at your home
You should report large numbers of dead wild birds found at your home.
Bird flu is more likely when many birds die in the same area.
The birds may not be collected after you’ve reported them. If the birds are not collected within 4 days and you want them removed, you can ask a specialist waste contractor to arrange disposal. Your local authority may also be able to help.
Rules on removing dead wild birds if you keep poultry or other captive birds
If you keep poultry or other captive birds, you must remove dead wild birds from any areas where you keep birds or bird supplies such as feed or bedding.
Check other ways to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.
Risks to humans
The risk of bird flu passing from infected dead birds to humans is low. You can read NHS guidance on the risks to humans from bird flu.
If you’re concerned about symptoms, phone the NHS on 111.