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Skylarks, starlings and mistle thrushes: Endangered songbirds licensed to be killed for sport in UK
Skylarks, starlings and mistle thrushes are among the red-listed species approved to be hunted by falconers.
Should endangered wild birds be hunted for sport?
It sounds like an odd question to be asking in 2023, in the midst of a biodiversity crisis.
Yet, at a time when many avian species in the UK are under threat of regional extinction, government data reveals falconers are permitted to hunt rare songbirds.
The data, released this week by government watchdog Natural England, has caused concern among environmentalists.
What is falconry and how is it regulated in the UK?
Falconry involves hunting wild animals in their natural habitat using a trained bird of prey.
There are reportedly around 25,000 falconers in the UK. The sport itself dates back hundreds of years, and it has seen a resurgence in recent times.
While it remains legal throughout Britain, many outside the hobby are unaware that captive falcons are used to hunt native wild birds - including some endangered species.
So there was widespread criticism when it emerged that Natural England has been issuing licences to hunt red-listed songbirds - those of high conservation concern - for sport.
An application form on the government’s website asks the falconer to select a number of ‘quarry’ species they wish to kill. Among the 25 species on the list of quarry birds are 11 amber-listed and seven red-listed examples.
The licences themselves are free of charge and the approval process is at the discretion of Natural England’s staff.
Natural England is a non-departmental public body, technically making it independent of the government. It is sponsored by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and issues licences on behalf of the government.
With Natural England’s stated aim being “to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development,” news of the falconry licences has angered British bird lovers.
What is the red list of threatened species?
The IUCN Red List is an internationally accepted system for classifying species at high risk of global extinction. Global and national lists are compiled to identify species in decline.
In the UK, the red list of birds is longer than ever before due to human incursion and habitat destruction. It now contains 70 species, nine of which are threatened with global extinction.
Species whose conservation status is of moderate concern are placed on the amber list.
Which endangered birds are permitted to be killed for sport in England?
The UK government’s latest licence statistics, which now include the falconry licence data for the first time, reveal that permission is regularly granted to kill several endangered species.
These include skylark, fieldfare and mistle thrush, permitting these otherwise heavily protected birds to be legally hunted.
Other red-list birds permitted to be killed in falconry include dunnocks, house sparrows, lapwings, rooks, song thrushes and starlings.
Sahara Desert & Coastal Bird Hunting in Morocco 2025: Game, Regions, Strategy
Morocco’s hunting potential goes far beyond the Atlas Mountains. The Sahara Desert and coastal wetlands offer distinct opportunities for hunters targeting desert-adapted game and migratory birds. If you’re looking for rare trophies and diverse terrain, these zones deliver.
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📍 Sahara Desert Hunting: Barbary Gazelle & Desert Fox
The Moroccan Sahara — especially near Merzouga and the Draa-Tafilalet region — is home to elusive desert species:
• Barbary Gazelle: Fast, alert, and adapted to harsh terrain. Spot-and-stalk hunting across rocky outcrops and dunes.
• Desert Fox: Nocturnal predator, hunted with thermal optics or bait setups.
• Sand Hare & Desert Birds: Secondary targets during multi-day hunts.
Terrain: Sand dunes, dry wadis, rocky plateaus.
Climate: Daytime heat (30–40°C), nighttime cold (5–10°C).
Gear: Lightweight boots, hydration packs, sun protection, long-range optics.
Access: Fly into Errachidia or Ouarzazate. Outfitters provide 4x4 transport and desert camps.
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📅 Sahara Hunting Season 2025
• Gazelle: March to May
• Fox & Hare: October to February
• Birds: Vary by species; check with outfitter
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🦆 Coastal Bird Hunting: Migratory Waterfowl & Game Birds
Morocco’s Atlantic coast — especially near Rabat, Casablanca, and Agadir — is a hotspot for migratory birds:
• Ducks & Geese: Peak season October to January. Hunt near lakes, estuaries, and rice fields.
• Barbary Partridge & Quail: Found in scrublands and foothills. Ideal for shotgun hunting with dogs.
• Herons & Waders: Present in wetlands; often hunted during combo trips.
Best Zones:
• Sidi Moussa Wetlands
• Oualidia Lagoon
• Souss-Massa National Park
• Moulouya River Delta
Methods:
• Decoy setups in blinds
• Walk-up hunts with pointing dogs
• Driven bird hunts in organized groups
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🏕️ Logistics & Lodging
• Desert Camps: Tented setups with full board, guides, and water supply.
• Coastal Lodges: Hotels or guesthouses near wetlands.
• Transport: 4x4 vehicles for desert; standard vans for coastal hunts.
• Permits: Handled by outfitter. All hunts require valid licenses.
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🔫 Recommended Firearms
• Gazelle: .243, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270
• Fox & Hare: .22-250, .223 Rem
• Birds: 12-gauge shotgun with to shot
• Ammo: Bring your own — local supply is limited and expensive
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🎯 Bag Limits (2025)
• Gazelle: 1–2 per hunter
• Fox: 2–3 per trip
• Ducks/Geese: Up to 10/day
• Partridge/Quail: Up to 15/day
• Hare: 1–2/day
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🧠 Pro Tips for Desert & Coastal Hunts
• Scout terrain via satellite maps before arrival
• Use thermal scopes for fox at night
• Hunt birds at dawn and dusk for best flight activity
• Combine desert and coastal hunts for a 7–10 day package
• Hydrate aggressively in the Sahara — dehydration kills accuracy
🧭 Travel & Entry Tips for Hunters
• Airports: For Sahara hunts, fly into Errachidia (ERH) or Ouarzazate (OZZ). For coastal hunts, use Casablanca (CMN), Rabat (RBA), or Agadir (AGA).
• Firearm Transport: Most outfitters offer rental rifles. If bringing your own, secure import permits in advance and declare at customs.
• Documentation: Passport, hunting license, insurance, and outfitter contract are mandatory.
• Language: Arabic and French are official. Most hunting guides speak English or provide translation.
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🏁 Final Notes for Serious Hunters
If you’re looking for a hunting experience that goes beyond fenced ranches and overused game trails, Morocco’s Sahara and coastal zones offer raw, tactical challenges:
• Spotting gazelles across 1,000-meter flats
• Calling ducks into blinds with the Atlantic wind at your back
• Tracking desert foxes under moonlight
• Combining mountain, desert, and wetland hunts in one trip
This isn’t canned hunting — it’s real field work. With the right outfitter, gear, and mindset, Morocco delivers rare trophies and unforgettable terrain.
Skylarks, starlings and mistle thrushes: Endangered songbirds licensed to be killed for sport in UK
Skylarks, starlings and mistle thrushes are among the red-listed species approved to be hunted by falconers.
Should endangered wild birds be hunted for sport?
It sounds like an odd question to be asking in 2023, in the midst of a biodiversity crisis.
Yet, at a time when many avian species in the UK are under threat of regional extinction, government data reveals falconers are permitted to hunt rare songbirds.
The data, released this week by government watchdog Natural England, has caused concern among environmentalists.
What is falconry and how is it regulated in the UK?
Falconry involves hunting wild animals in their natural habitat using a trained bird of prey.
There are reportedly around 25,000 falconers in the UK. The sport itself dates back hundreds of years, and it has seen a resurgence in recent times.
While it remains legal throughout Britain, many outside the hobby are unaware that captive falcons are used to hunt native wild birds - including some endangered species.
So there was widespread criticism when it emerged that Natural England has been issuing licences to hunt red-listed songbirds - those of high conservation concern - for sport.
An application form on the government’s website asks the falconer to select a number of ‘quarry’ species they wish to kill. Among the 25 species on the list of quarry birds are 11 amber-listed and seven red-listed examples.
The licences themselves are free of charge and the approval process is at the discretion of Natural England’s staff.
Natural England is a non-departmental public body, technically making it independent of the government. It is sponsored by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and issues licences on behalf of the government.
With Natural England’s stated aim being “to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development,” news of the falconry licences has angered British bird lovers.
What is the red list of threatened species?
The IUCN Red List is an internationally accepted system for classifying species at high risk of global extinction. Global and national lists are compiled to identify species in decline.
In the UK, the red list of birds is longer than ever before due to human incursion and habitat destruction. It now contains 70 species, nine of which are threatened with global extinction.
Species whose conservation status is of moderate concern are placed on the amber list.
Which endangered birds are permitted to be killed for sport in England?
The UK government’s latest licence statistics, which now include the falconry licence data for the first time, reveal that permission is regularly granted to kill several endangered species.
These include skylark, fieldfare and mistle thrush, permitting these otherwise heavily protected birds to be legally hunted.
Other red-list birds permitted to be killed in falconry include dunnocks, house sparrows, lapwings, rooks, song thrushes and starlings.
