Welfare of Songbirds Caught in Mediterranean Limestick Traps

Traditional limestick bird trapping in Cyprus and other Mediterranean countries captures millions of songbirds illegally each year.

Key Facts

Millions of migratory songbirds are illegally trapped in Cyprus annually for the ambelopoulia dish
Limesticks coat branches with adhesive that traps birds by their feet and wings
Captured birds are often killed by breaking their necks
The practice is illegal but continues despite enforcement efforts
The trapping occurs during fall migration when birds are most abundant

Welfare Considerations

Birds caught on limesticks experience acute terror and struggle that can cause wing and leg injuries. The adhesive causes distress as they cannot escape. Handling and killing by inexperienced trappers causes additional suffering. Many birds are injured but not immediately killed, suffering for extended periods. The scale of millions of birds per season represents an enormous welfare burden. Many trapped birds are protected migratory species with already declining populations.

What You Can Do

Support Committee Against Bird Slaughter and similar organizations
Advocate for stronger enforcement against limestick trapping
Raise awareness about illegal bird trapping in Mediterranean tourist destinations
Support bird ringing and monitoring programs that document migration routes