How to Report Suspected Bird Flu
The signs of bird flu, how to report it in poultry and other captive birds and what to do if you find a dead wild bird. For the most up to date guidance please refer to the DEFRA website here.
Report suspected bird flu in poultry or other captive birds
If you suspect bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, you must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
- 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
Bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry and other captive birds. If you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.
Report dead wild birds
Call Defra on 03459 33 55 77 if you find:
- one or more dead birds of prey
- 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
- 5 or more dead birds of any species
You do not need to report any other found dead wild birds. Bird flu is not a notifiable disease in wild birds.
If you report a dead wild bird, Defra and APHA may arrange to collect it and test it. This is to help explain where bird flu is spreading in Great Britain and in which types of birds.
Do not touch or pick up a dead or visibly sick wild bird.
Report sick or injured wild birds
You can report sick or injured wild birds to the:
- RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 if you’re in England or Wales
They may be able to help. This may include euthanasia and disposing of the bird if appropriate.
Do not report sick or injured wild birds to Defra or APHA.
What to do with dead wild birds that are not collected for testing
If dead wild birds are not collected for bird flu testing, landowners can remove carcases. The landowner is responsible for disposing of the carcases safely and for any costs of removing and disposing of dead wild birds.
Read guidance on disposing of small numbers of garden birds found on your home property.
If you decide to remove any other dead wild bird that you suspect has been infected with bird flu you must dispose of it as a category 1 animal by-product.
If you’re a landowner or land manager, read the mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds for further guidance on removing and disposing of wild bird carcases.
Disposing of dead wild birds on public land
Do not touch or pick up a dead or visibly sick wild bird on public land.
The local authority is responsible for disposing of dead wild birds on public land if necessary. Find out how to contact your local authority.
Disposing of small numbers of dead garden birds found at your home
If you find small numbers of dead garden birds at your home (domestic residential property 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. Take care not to contaminate 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
For the most up to date guidance please refer to the DEFRA website here.
