Bird flu

What to do with dead birds

Flock of flying geese

If you spot dead wild birds on council land do not touch or pick them up but report it using the form below

Report dead birds

Dead garden birds 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 waste bin or bury them.

If you dispose of a dead wild bird with your household or municipal waste, you should

  1. Pick it up wearing disposable gloves or a plastic bag over your hand
  2. Put the bird in a plastic bag and tie it. Take care not to contaminate the outside of the bag.
  3. 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.
  4. Put it in your outside household waste bin
  5. 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 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 have finished

More information can be found on the government website