Game bird
A game bird is any of a number of species of wild birds which are hunted, killed and eaten by humans. Hunting game birds is a sport, and a way of getting food. Usually there are laws which govern the hunting. Usually, guns are used, and so there are gun laws. Also, regulations protect the birds' breeding season, so that another generation of birds will grow to replace the present generation.
Although the birds are wild, most of them are "managed" if they live on estates. Birds which migrate cannot be managed in the same way. Shooting game birds on Scottish estates is for them a major source of income. The managing consists of making sure there are enough birds for the next shooting season.
In the United Kingdom game is defined in law by the Game Act 1831. It is illegal to shoot game on Sundays or at night. Other (non-game birds) that are hunted for food in the UK are specified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Forestry Commission have a big say in how the hunting is regulated.
UK law defines game as including:
- Black grouse (No longer hunted due to decline in numbers)
- Red grouse
- Brown hare
- Ptarmigan
- Grey partridge and red-legged partridge
- Common pheasant
- Duck, including mallard, tufted duck, teal, pintail and pochard
- Goose, including greylag goose, Canada goose, pink-footed goose and in England and Wales white-fronted goose
- Wood pigeon
- Woodcock
- Snipe
- Golden plover