Guidance on handling and disposing of dead garden and wild birds

Advice issued by Defra on 6 April, 2006

The advice given here applies in all circumstances where members of the public may come across a dead bird.

If you find a dead swan, goose or duck or three or more dead wild, or garden birds together in the same place, please report this to Defra, via the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77. The current Defra helpline opening hours are Monday to Friday 6.00 am to 10.00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.

They may wish to have the birds examined for signs of specific diseases. They will advise you on what action you should take.

If the dead bird is a single, small garden, or wild bird then you do not need to call Defra.

You should:

leave it alone, or
follow the guidelines below for disposal

People should follow some simple hygiene precautions should minimise the risk of infection. It is hard for people to catch avian influenza from birds and the following simple steps are also effective against avian influenza.

If you have to move a dead bird:

Avoid touching the bird with your bare hands
If possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling (if disposable gloves are not available
Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag
Tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag
Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of in the normal household refuse bin.
Hands should then be washed thoroughly with soap and water
If disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove. When the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied. It should then be placed in a second plastic bag, tied and disposed of in the normal household waste
Alternatively, the dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag
Any clothing that has been in contact with the dead bird should be washed using ordinary washing detergent at the temperature normally used for washing the clothing.
Any contaminated indoor surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with normal household cleaner.

Last updated: 2/07/07