Statutory guidance

Wild birds: licence to rear chicks of certain captive-bred species (GL11)

Use this general licence to rear chicks from the incubated eggs of captive-bred schedule 4 birds for a limited period.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This licence lets you raise chicks from the incubated eggs of the following species for a limited period before you must register them:

  • honey buzzards
  • golden eagles
  • white-tailed eagles
  • peregrine falcons
  • goshawks
  • marsh harriers
  • Montagu’s harriers
  • merlins
  • ospreys

From the day they are hatched, you must ring and register these chicks within:

  • 30 days for white-tailed and golden eagles
  • 15 days for the other listed birds of prey

The chicks must have been bred in captivity. Their parents must have been in lawful captivity when the eggs were laid.

You must let Natural England, Defra or the police inspect the premises and chicks.

You do not need to apply for this general licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.

Published 6 January 2020
Last updated 1 January 2024 + show all updates
  1. There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.

  2. Annual licence updates, valid from 1 January 2023.

  3. Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.

  4. Annual licence update.

  5. Accessible version of licence added - HTML.

  6. First published.