Birds

Songbird Trapping: Illegal Trade and Traditional Hunting

Millions of migratory songbirds are trapped illegally in Mediterranean countries annually for food and captivity, devastating populations.

Key Facts

An estimated 25 million songbirds are illegally killed or trapped in the Mediterranean annually
Cyprus, Malta, Egypt, and Lebanon are major illegal trapping hotspots
Limesticks and mist nets trap birds indiscriminately, injuring many
Ambelopoulia, pickled songbirds, remain a traditional dish in Cyprus despite being illegal
Trapped birds experience prolonged distress, injury, and death in nets and on sticks

Welfare Considerations

Songbirds caught in mist nets or on limesticks experience fear, physical injury from struggling, and death by breaking of the neck. Limestick birds are often alive for hours before collection. The indiscriminate nature of trapping means many birds are injured and released or die slowly from injuries. The scale across Mediterranean flyways affects dozens of migratory species at critical population bottlenecks.

What You Can Do

Support BirdLife International illegal trapping monitoring and enforcement campaigns
Never purchase wild-caught songbirds for food or as pets
Donate to Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) trap dismantling patrols
Advocate for EU enforcement action against member states with illegal trapping
Report illegal trapping operations to local wildlife authorities when traveling