Konrad-Lorenz-Institut für Vergleichende Verhaltensforschung
Abteilung Ornithologie
Wissenschaftlicher Koordinator - Österreichische Vogelwarte
Department für Interdisziplinäre Lebenswissenschaften
Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien
Savoyenstr. 1
A-1160 Wien

T +43 (1) 25077 7402
F +43 (1) 25077 94 7402
Email

Research

My main research focus is on bird migration. Birds evolved morphological and physiological adaptations that allow them to perform large-scale movements through a variety of different habitats, under sometimes very challenging conditions, such as e.g. during the crossing of seas or deserts. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the strategies adopted by different species, or populations within species, are highly variable, depending on the characteristics of their itinerary. The aim of my research is to identify the physiological limitations that contribute to shaping and differentiating migration strategies. In the long run, knowing such limitations will help understand whether migratory birds are flexible enough to deal with changing environments and/or climate.

Projects

• Water balance as a driver of behavioural strategies of migratory birds during desert crossing
  Birds migrating from Europe to Africa cross the Sahara Desert twice a year. Despite their lack of specific physiological adaptations to the extreme heat and arid conditions, many Passerine species regularly stopover in the desert to rest or refuel. Previous studies have put out the hypothesis that species adapted to humid habitats (such as central European birds) are constrained in their behaviour while stopping over by the availability of water. This means that they will be able to successfully refuel only when drinking water is available. On the opposite hand, species from drier habitats (such as Mediterranean species) might be able to be more active and refuel even if surface water is not available. The working hypothesis of this study is that species differ in their rates of cutaneous water evaporation, and that their behaviour is constrained by the ability to retain water. To test this hypothesis we are measuring cutaneous water loss in several species with different adaptations to arid habitats at stopover sites in the deserts of Israel and Morocco. The prediction is that the species with highest cutaneous water loss will be more active and use the stopover site more if they have drinking water available, while species with low cutaneous water loss will not need drinking water to sustain activity. After measuring their water loss rates, birds are released to the site with a telemetry nanotag (www.motus.org) and their activity and stopover duration are monitored.
  
  Students:
  Armando Aispuro
  Clara Machowetz
  Bernhard Paces
  Barbara Waringer

• Movement tracking using automated radiotelemetry
  The aim of this project is to create a network of automated telemetry receivers (www.motus.org projects #121, 173, and 186), mainly in Austria, that will allow to track bird movements at a medium-scale range. This project will be connected with a Europe-wide network that allows to exchange data. In Austria, the network will be started around migration hotspots: the Neusiedlersee area and the Konrad Lorenz Research Station in Grünau. This will allow to study differences in birds’ movements in the Alpine range and t the edge of the Alps. The plan is to expand the system to the whole country. Additional receivers are mounted on the island of Ventotene (central Italy), to secure detections of birds at this very important migration hotspot, as of now the only Mediterranean island with automated receiving stations.

• Scientific coordinator of the Austrian bird ringing scheme
  Bird ringing has provided a huge amount of information about bird migration for over a century. Even with the development of modern tracking techniques, bird ringing still plays an important role in ornithological science. With the newly established Austrian ringing scheme we wish to pursue two main goals: 1. Monitoring of breeding and migratory birds in Austria through nationally coordinated projects; and 2. Integrating bird ringing and modern tracking techniques for cutting edge basic research on bird migration. As a very small ringing scheme, the vision for the future is to participate in international projects involving bird ringing and tracking at a larger scale (e.g. at the European level).

Curriculum Vitae

Publikationen

Publikationen