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.
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.
Updates to this page
Last updated 1 January
-
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 8 and the 'Avian influenza' information and advice note.
Update history
2026-01-01 00:01
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.
2025-01-01 00:01
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 8 and the ‘Avian influenza’ information and advice note.
2024-01-01 00:01
There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.
2023-01-01 00:15
Annual licence updates, valid from 1 January 2023.