300499 VO Voices of Austrian birds (2008S)

This lecture aims to deliver the knowledge of the most important songs and calls of birds in Austria and thus to provide a basic prerequisite in field ornithology. Their correct identification and interpretation is necessary for a range of research issues like distribution and abundance of species, population monitoring and even breeding biology and ecology. An introduction summarises different types and basic characteristics of bird songs and calls and explains how they are produced. Thereafter the voices of selected widespread species or species of special conservation interest are presented using CDs. During four morning and three whole day excursions the identification of bird songs and calls in the field is practised.