Under the new Nature Protection Law, in force since 15 August 2026, all wild birds in Montenegro are protected. It is forbidden to kill, capture, keep or disturb wild birds, especially during breeding and rearing of chicks, and to destroy nests or collect eggs, even empty ones. This means that a goldfinch, chaffinch or other songbird caught in the wild may be neither kept nor sold. Only certain species on a list set by the Ministry may be sold, and only if obtained in accordance with this law and the hunting law. An individual who captures, keeps or disturbs wild birds faces a fine of 250 to 4,000 euros.
This guide brings together the rules on wild birds in one place.
What is prohibited?
| Action | Rule |
| killing, capturing and keeping wild birds | prohibited for all wild bird species |
| disturbing birds | prohibited, especially during breeding and rearing of chicks |
| destroying, damaging, moving or removing nests | prohibited |
| collecting, taking and keeping eggs | prohibited, even if the eggs are empty |
| selling protected species taken from the wild | prohibited for strictly protected and protected species |
- Game bird species are protected during the closed season and during breeding, moulting and return from wintering grounds, under the game and hunting law.
- Capturing and killing wild species for commercial sale requires a prior permit from the Environmental Protection Agency.
When may birds be sold?
- Only certain wild bird species may be offered for sale, transported and kept for sale.
- The list of these species is set by the Ministry with the opinion of the body responsible for hunting.
- The birds must be killed, captured or obtained in accordance with this law and the hunting law.
- Special permits apply to trade and cross-border trade in wild species, and trade at the border is declared to customs.
- Under the law's definition, wild species do not include breeds of domesticated animals created through artificial selection; the rules of the Animal Welfare Law also apply to selling pets.
What should you do with an injured wild bird?
- Found, injured, sick or confiscated specimens of protected species are sent to a rescue centre set up by the Government; the law gives two years to establish it.
- Such animals may not be displayed to the public.
- When a specimen can be returned to the wild, the Agency decides with the opinion of the veterinary authority.
How high are the fines?
| Who | Fine |
| individual | 250 to 4,000 euros |
| sole trader | 1,000 to 24,000 euros |
| company | 2,000 to 80,000 euros |
| responsible person in a company | 500 to 8,000 euros |
- The fines in Article 127 cover killing, capturing, keeping and disturbing wild birds, destroying nests and eggs and trading without a permit.
The rules for selling puppies and kittens are in the guide to selling pets, and for mushrooms in the guide to mushroom picking. Hunting seasons are explained in the guide to hunting, and how to post a listing in the guide to free classifieds.
Frequently asked questions
May I keep a goldfinch in a cage? A goldfinch caught in the wild is a wild bird, and the law prohibits capturing and keeping all wild birds. The fine for an individual is 250 to 4,000 euros.
May a goldfinch be sold through a listing? Wild birds taken from the wild may not be sold; only species on the Ministry's list, obtained in accordance with the law, may be offered for sale.
When does the new Nature Protection Law apply? From 15 August 2026, the eighth day after publication in Official Gazette 117/2026.
What if I find an injured bird? Injured and sick specimens of protected species are sent to a rescue centre set up by the Government, and the Agency decides on returning them to the wild.
May I take an empty nest or eggs? No. Removing nests and collecting and keeping eggs is prohibited, even if they are empty.
Does the ban apply to domestic canaries? The ban applies to wild species, and the law does not count breeds of domesticated animals created through artificial selection among them. Selling pets is subject to the animal welfare rules.
Sources
The rules are set by the Nature Protection Law (Official Gazette 117/2026), Articles 85, 93, 94, 104, 127, 131 and 135. The rules on selling pets are in the Animal Welfare Law. Information checked on 29 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.