New rules make it a legal requirement for everyone in Great Britain who keeps birds to register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Keepers must register before 1 October 2024 in England and Wales and between 1 September and 1 December in Scotland.
For useful guidance on how to register your birds see this document created by the British Veterinary Association.
When you do not need to register
You do not need to register Psittaciformes or Passeriformes (such as budgies, parrots, cockatiels and finches) if they are both:
• fully housed in a dwelling (your home or another indoor structure)
• with no access to the open air
You do not need to register an exempt bird to visit a veterinary practice.
If your birds are taken outdoors at any time, for example to be exercised, trained, or taken to bird gatherings or shows, they must be registered.