Part 10: Laws and Regulations – Important Knowledge

Overview of Relevant Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines in Denmark

Concerning Wild Corvids – Feeding, Handling, and Protection

Below is an overview of key Danish laws, regulations, and guidelines related to contact with wild corvids — including feeding, handling, and the protection of these birds.
Links to official documents and authorities are included for further reference.

Relevance

These laws and regulations are designed to protect wild animals, including corvids, from unnecessary disturbance, harm, or capture.
It is prohibited to disturb birds during their breeding or resting periods.

What the Law Says

Links:
Lov om naturbeskyttelse
Dyrevelfærdsloven
Forbud mod hold af særlige dyr
Fremvisning af dyr
Viden om Fugleinfluenza
Fund af døde eller syge kragefugle

Regulations on Wildlife Care

Relevance:
If you wish to assist wild birds — for example, by rescuing or temporarily caring for them — you must comply with the official Danish regulations on wildlife care.

Key points:

• It is permitted to help sick or injured birds, but only in accordance with animal welfare and nature protection laws.
• Permission or exemption may be required, depending on the type of intervention or care provided.

Guidelines on Feeding Wild Birds (Miljøstyrelsen)

Relevance:
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (Miljøstyrelsen) has published official guidance on how and when wild birds, including corvids, may be fed — to prevent disturbance of nature and the spread of disease.

Main points:

• Feeding should only take place for limited periods and with appropriate food.
• It is important to avoid overfeeding and to keep feeding areas clean to prevent disease.
• Feeding is not permitted during the breeding season, as it may disturb the birds’ natural behavior.
• Be careful not to attract rats when feeding corvids.

EU Birds Directive (EU’s Fuglebeskyttelsesdirektiv)

Relevance:
This directive protects all wild birds and their habitats within the EU, including corvids.
It prohibits unnecessary disturbance and the destruction of nests or breeding sites.

What the directive states:

• It is forbidden to disturb birds, especially during the breeding season.
• It is forbidden to destroy nests, eggs, or chicks.

Links:

• EF-Fuglebeskyttelses­direktivet
• Fuglebeskyttelsesdirektivet og den danske implementering
• WiKi – Fuglebeskyttelsesdirektivet

Practical Advice and Contact Information

Bird Protection Associations:

• Dansk Ornitologisk Forening (DOF) – offers advice on handling and protecting wild birds.

Environmental and Food Authorities:

• Miljøstyrelsen – information about environmental legislation and guidelines.
• Fødevarestyrelsen  – regulations on handling wild animals and rescue procedures.

Summary

• It is generally prohibited to disturb, harm, or remove nests and chicks during the breeding season (April 1 – July 15).
• Feeding should always be done responsibly, in line with official guidance, and preferably outside the breeding season.
• You may assist sick or injured birds, but this often requires permission from relevant authorities.
• When in doubt, contact local ornithologists or nature organizations for advice on how to legally and responsibly help or protect wild corvids.