If you find a ringed bird…

Do not touch animals that have possibly died of bird flu. Always wash you hands carefully after you have touched a dead bird!

When you find a dead bird, check if it has a ring. If it does, do the following:

1. Detach the ring from the bird's leg,
2. Straighten the ring and attach it with tape to a paper,
3. Write the following information in your letter:
   • the text engraved into the ring (country, ringing centre, letter code and numerical series)
   • finding date
   • finding place as accurately as possible
   • an estimate of the cause and time of death of the bird
   • your own name and address (to which the Ringing Centre can report the data regarding the bird found),
4. Post the letter as soon as possible to the Ringing Centre.

If you happened to get a hold of a live ringed bird, carefully write down the text engraved into the ring, leave the ring around the bird's leg, release the bird and post the recovery information to the Ringing Centre.