St. Louis, MO Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected class
- all small birds, nests, young, brood
- Excepted species
- hawks, sparrows, vultures, owls, pigeons, starlings
- Penalty
- $5–$500 fine or 6 months jail
- Nuisance-bird disposal
- set by Health Commissioner rules
Summary
St. Louis bans molesting, injuring, or disturbing small birds and their nests citywide, with sparrows, pigeons, and starlings excepted.
All persons are forbidden to molest, injure or disturb in any way any small birds in the City, or the nest, young or brood of any small birds in the City. If any person shall willfully injure, molest, take or disturb in any way any small birds, except sparrows, pigeons and European starlings, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).
Full Breakdown
City code makes it a misdemeanor to molest, injure, or disturb any small bird in St. Louis, or the nest, young, or brood of any small bird. The ban covers wild birds broadly but carves out sparrows, pigeons, and European starlings by name: those three, along with hawks, vultures, and owls, are the species excepted from protection under Section 10.12.050. The Health Commissioner is authorized to set rules for humanely disposing of pigeons and European starlings, since those two are treated as nuisance birds rather than protected wildlife.
Violations & Fines
Violation is a misdemeanor under Section 10.12.010's general animal penalty: a fine of $5 to $500, up to six months in the City Workhouse, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a bird nest from my St. Louis property?
Are pigeons protected under St. Louis's bird law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis
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