Bird keepers in the region have been urged to sign up any feathered friends they own to a new register ahead of a deadline coming into effect this weekend.
The legislation, which comes into force on December 1, will make it illegal for anyone to keep a single bird unless it is on the Scottish Kept Bird Register (SKBR).
This includes some pet birds (exceptions apply if kept indoor only), all poultry, game birds, racing pigeons, birds of prey and waterfowl.
Those with psittaciformes (such as budgies, parrots and cockatiels) or passeriformes (such as jays and finches), which are either fully housed indoors with no outdoor access or housed outdoors in a fully enclosed structure do not need to register and are exempt from the legal requirement.
Any birds that are taken outdoors at any time, for example to be exercised or trained, must be registered.
The new legal requirement applies to anyone who keeps birds, as well as wild bird rehabilitation centres and zoos.
Currently only flocks of more than 50 birds are required to be registered.
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed has led the warnings and said: “This is a really important step towards protecting Scotland’s domestic and wild birds and I urge all of Stirling’s bird keepers and sanctuaries to ensure they are registered by this Sunday (1st December).
“The Avian Influenza outbreak in October 2021 and continuing cases since then highlighted just how damaging these diseases are to our nation’s birds and I’m confident this new legal requirement will make it much easier to control any future outbreaks.
“The new register is online and very simple for all keepers, including those with commercial poultry flocks, to keep records up to date. Being registered will mean bird keepers will receive updates and guidance for bird care, including disease alerts and housing orders depending on the threat from Avian Influenza.
“Anyone who needs help registering, please call the support line on 01466 405 101”.