Ringing requirements

Rings

The Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service no longer issue any rings for Schedule 4 birds.

Captive bred birds

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. When this is not possible because of the physical or behavioral properties of the bird, it may be fitted with an unalterable microchip that meets ISO Standards 11784:1996 (E) and 11785:1996 (E).

• Breeders are responsible for obtaining and fitting their own breeder’s rings. We cannot recommend which ring supplier should be used, but a list of suppliers can be found in our useful links information
• Breeders are responsible for ensuring their closed rings are uniquely numbered. There is no prescriptive requirement for how this should be done, but you could, for example, include your initials and telephone number or post code in the ring number. It is in your interest to make sure that ring numbers are as unique to you as possible
• 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
• Birds which lose their rings must be microchipped and registered under their microchip number

For some species, it can be necessary to fit different-sized rings, one to each leg, to take account of gender variation in leg (tarsus) size, since it is often impossible to sex chicks until some months after hatching. The wrong-sized ring can be removed once the sex is known. If it becomes necessary to remove either ring, the bird registration document should be returned to Animal Health, with an explanation as to the reason for removal. An amended registration document will then be issued.

Wild disabled birds

• Wild disabled birds which are temporarily being kept in captivity, while they are being rehabilitated for release back into the wild, do not need to be marked. You must apply to register the bird under a ‘UR licence’ (i.e. a licence to keep a bird unringed), which will be valid for an appropriate period to be determined on a case by case basis. Please complete the application form (PDF 253KB) and return to the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service, Bristol. UR licences for Scotland will be issued by the Scottish Executive and UR licences for Wales will be issued by the Welsh Government. All application forms, however, should be returned to the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service, Bristol
• 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

Imported birds

All imported birds listed on Schedule 4 must be registered under their CITES compliant ring or 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.