859536 VO The birds of Austria (2003W)

The lecture gives an overview of the Austrian bird fauna. Introducing the subject it starts with an examination of the Austrian avifauna from a superregional perspective and a discussion of those factors that influence the distribution and abundance of different bird species in Austria. Furtheron informations on bird conservation in Austria and some basics of bird observation and field ornithology are given.
This is followed by a detailed presentation of the bird species that occur in Austria with emphasis on the following subjects: habitat requirements, distribution and population trends, influence of human use of their habitats, (other) threats and if appropriate possibilities for conservation. Additional topical issues (with emphasis on conservation) regarding one or several species just presented are discussed on a regular basis (eg fish-eating birds, hunting issues, hole-nesting birds and forestry etc.).