Are crows protected in the UK?
Matthew Barrera
Updated on May 03, 2026
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects crows as well as all other wild birds in the UK. This means that it is illegal to take, injure or kill a crow, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.
Also asked, how do you kill crows legally?
How to Get Rid Of Crows
- Make the yard less attractive to the crows by cleaning it well.
- Scare away the crows.
- Hang a plastic owl in your yard.
- Hang up something shiny across your yard.
- Hang up shiny aluminum plates.
- Play CDs of sounds of the predators of crows to frighten off the crows.
- Some people like shooting the birds.
Likewise, can I still shoot crows? You can take or kill these birds, or damage, take or destroy their nests, or take or destroy their eggs: crows. collared doves.
Just so, are all birds protected in the UK?
Basically in the UK, all wild birds, their nests and their eggs are protected by law. In England, Scotland and Wales the legislation that protects wild birds is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and in Northern Ireland, The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Which birds can you shoot in the UK?
Other birds and animals shot in the UK include:
- Duck. Mallard. Wigeon. Teal. Shoveler. Pintail. Common pochard. Common goldeneye. Gadwall. Tufted duck.
- Goose. Greylag goose. Canada goose. Pink-footed goose. White-fronted goose (England only)
- Wood pigeon.
- Woodcock.
- Snipe.
- Rabbit.
- Golden plover.