Even If You Only Keep One Bird You May Have To Register By 1 December 2024

28th September 2024

Anyone who keeps birds, even a single bird, must register on the Scottish Kept Birds Register (SKBR) by 1 December 2024. This is a legal requirement. See https://keptbirdregister.service.gov.scot/

Who needs to register
You will need to register if you keep any type of bird, including:

pet birds - there are exceptions for certain types that are kept indoors only (see below)
poultry
game birds
racing pigeons
birds of prey
waterfowl

This applies to anyone who keeps birds, as well as wild bird rehabilitation centres and zoos.

Who doesn't need to register
You do not need to register psittaciformes (such as budgies, parrots and cockatiels) or passeriformes (such as jays and finches), which are:

fully housed indoors with no outdoor access, or
housed outdoors in a fully enclosed structure

Any birds that are taken outdoors at any time, for example to be exercised, trained, or taken to bird gatherings or shows, must be registered.

Taking an exempt bird to visit a veterinary practice does not trigger the need for registration.

If you are already a registered keeper
The Scottish Kept Bird Register replaces the previous GB Poultry Register for bird keepers in Scotland.

If your premises is registered on the GB Poultry Register you will need to re-register on the Scottish Kept Birds Register.

How to register
You can register for free online at the Scottish Kept Birds Register. You must do so by 1 December 2024.

You will be asked to provide details of the birds and where you keep these.

You will need to keep your details up-to-date and you must update them at least annually.

Once registered, you can access and update information online at any time.

If you need help registering
If you need help registering:

phone the SKBR helpline on 01466 405101 (office hours only), or
email skbr@scoteid.com

Why we have bird registration
The information you provide will help us to send vital biosecurity information to minimise the risk of the spread of disease, along with disease control information where premises are affected by a disease control zone.

It will also allow us to contain and eradicate notifiable avian diseases, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

Registration in England and Wales
If you are based in England or Wales, you can register as a bird keeper at the gov.uk website. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/poultry-including-game-birds-registration-rules-and-forms