Leg rings for protected bird species

If you breed protected indigenous or exotic birds, you must fit each bird with a closed leg ring. With a leg ring the bird can be identified.

Obtaining leg rings

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency has designated a number of organisations where you can order these rings (in Dutch). You can find the type and size of the leg ring you need in annexe 6 of the Nature protection regulation (in Dutch). You are not allowed to sell or give away leg rings.

Please note: The technical requirements in the Netherlands for leg rings may differ from those of other EU Member States. If a leg ring is already allowed in another EU Member State, the authorities may ban its sale in the Netherlands only in exceptional cases.

Recognised bird organisations

Organisations providing leg rings for birds must be recognised by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. They must also keep an account of all leg rings they have distributed and keep them for at least 5 years.

Online application procedure via Message Box

Using Message Box you can apply digitally for recognition as a bird organisation to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you as an entrepreneur to exchange digital messages with Dutch government agencies.