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Disposal of small numbers of garden birds in household or municipal waste refuse

  • if the birds are not required for surveillance, residents should follow the government advice for their disposal through one of the two following options (disposal in household waste or burial)
  • if possible wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling dead wild birds (if disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove). When the dead wild bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied, enclosing the dead wild bird within the bag.
  • the bag containing the dead wild bird should then be placed in a second plastic bag (preferably leak proof). Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag
  • remove any gloves or other hand coverings used, by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag, taking care not to touch the outside of the gloves with bare hands.
  • tie the second bag closed and dispose of in the normal household waste (general refuse lidded bin outside).
    wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Burial of small numbers of garden birds

  • the dead wild bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag.
  • the depth of the burial hole must be sufficient to prevent animals scavenging and gaining access to it – at least 60 cm deep is advised and the location must not be near any watercourses, or likely to contaminate local water supplies.
  • where possible do not use your hands to move the bird. Where unavoidable:
    1. wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling any dead wild birds (if disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove)
    2. dispose of any gloves or other hand coverings in a bag (preferably leak proof), being careful not to touch the outside of the gloves or other hand covering with your bare hands
    3. tie the second bag closed and dispose of in the normal household waste (general refuse lidded bin outside)
      wash hands thoroughly with soap and water

Larger numbers of dead garden wild birds or non-garden wild bird species at domestic premises

There is a higher suspicion of avian influenza when there are deaths of multiple birds in a specified location. There is also greater uncertainty if the found dead wild birds are not typical garden bird species (for example. black birds, magpies, tits, finches, collared dove, woodpigeons, robins). Therefore additional precautions for the collection and disposal of birds is advised specifically, if the birds are not required for surveillance, residents should dispose of the carcasses by:

  1. enlisting the services of an Animal-by-Products (ABP) waste disposal service; or
  2. contacting the environmental health service of their local authority who may be able to provide further advice on ABP waste disposal service or assist with disposal