Wildbirds for consumption

Wild birds are part of popular dishes in many countries today. Unfortunately, several species have attained the status of a 'delicacy' and are therefore considered a welcome addition to the menu.

In central and Northern Europe, geese, ducks and pheasants are served up, in the Mediterranean, songbirds are often the most sought-after choice. The birds are eaten whole, including all of the innards. The hollow bird bones become soft through the preparation and are also consumed.

In Spain, songbirds are served with paella, in Italy with polenta on a skewer, and in the eastern Mediterranean they are grilled. 

Wild songbirds cannot be legally marketed in the EU. Restaurants no longer have robins, thrushes or warblers on their menus and butchers no longer "officially" display buntings and finches. If you want to buy songbirds, you must have good contacts. Outside the EU, for example in Lebanon, plucked warblers and other songbirds can still be found in the freezer section of many supermarkets.

During our bird protection camps and through online research, we frequently  identify restaurants or traders that illegally sell songbirds. Many poachers, restaurant owners and butchers, are found to still trade shot or captured wild songbirds each year.