Dallas, TX Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Federal law
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- State law
- TX Parks and Wildlife Code Ch. 64
- Permit issuer
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Unprotected species
- Starling, sparrow, pigeon
- Nesting season
- Roughly March to August
Summary
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 64 protect almost all wild birds in Dallas. Killing, capturing, possessing, or disturbing protected birds, nests, or eggs without a federal permit is a serious offense.
Sec. 64.002. PROTECTION OF NONGAME BIRDS. (a) Except as provided by this code, no person may:(1) catch, kill, injure, pursue, or possess, dead or alive, or purchase, sell, expose for sale, transport, ship, or receive or deliver for transportation, a bird that is not a game bird;(2) possess any part of the plumage, skin, or body of a bird that is not a game bird; or(3) disturb or destroy the eggs, nest, or young of a bird that is not a game bird.(b) European starlings, English sparrows, and feral rock doves (Columba livia) may be killed at any time in any manner and their nests or eggs may be destroyed, and such conduct does not constitute an offense under Chapter 42, Penal Code.(c) A permit is not required to control yellow-headed, red-winged, rusty, or Brewer's blackbirds or all grackl...
Full Breakdown
The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects more than 1,000 native bird species, making it unlawful to take, possess, transport, sell, or disturb any protected bird, nest, or egg without a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit. Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 64 mirrors and supplements federal protection for nongame and endangered species. Dallas property owners cannot remove active nests of egrets, herons, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, or songbirds during nesting season; building inspections often require nest surveys before tree trimming or demolition. Only invasive species not protected by treaty, such as European starlings, house sparrows, and feral pigeons, may be controlled without a permit, subject to humane handling.
Violations & Fines
Removing active nests of protected species, trapping or shooting migratory birds, possessing feathers or eggs without permits, demolishing structures with active nests during breeding season, or trimming trees containing active nests triggers federal and state penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a bird nest from my Dallas roof or tree?
Do I need a permit to trim a tree with a nest in Dallas?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle bird protection.