The Birds Directive (more formally known as Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds) is a European Union directive adopted in 2009. It replaces Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, as amended by several times and substantially, so, for the sake of clarity, it was considered appropriate to proceed with the codification of said Directive in 2009. It is one of the two directives of the European Union in relation to wildlife and nature conservation, the other being the so-called Habitats Directive.

Its purpose is to protect all European wild birds and the habitats of a number of species, in particular through the designation of special protection areas (SPAs).

The directive led to the establishment of a network of SPAs, which together with the already existing Special Conservation Areas (SAC) form a network of protected places throughout the European Union called Natura 2000.