Birds of the Open Country
In addition to SAC-sites of the Habitats Directive, the Natura 2000 network includes bird protection areas under the EU Birds Directive (VS-RL). These Special Protected Areas (SPA) are designated for species in Annex I of the Birds Directive and for migratory species (Art. 4, paras. 1 and 2 of the VSch-RL). Annex I of the Birds Directive lists 193 species and subspecies, of which 110 occur in Germany (BMUV 2022).
Red Lists
According to the 2020 Red List of Breeding Birds in Germany, 112 (43%) of the 259 native breeding bird species are threatened. Fourteen species are already extinct, 33 are critically endangered, 18 are endangered, 24 are vulnerable, 23 are extremely rare, and 21 are on the watch list (DDA). Populations are largely continuing to decline (MPG 2021). While species in forest and urban habitats are increasing, open landscape species (e.g., Lapwing, Partridge), insectivores, and migratory birds continue to decline (MPG 2021).
The Red List of Breeding Birds is complemented by the 2012 Red List of Migratory Birds in Germany. Of the 511 bird species recorded in Germany, 305 species, subspecies, and biogeographical populations migrate regularly, and of these, 71 units (23%) are threatened: 16 are critically endangered, 26 are endangered, 24 are vulnerable, and 5 are extremely rare. With 31 units on the watch list, about 33.4% of migratory bird species have an unfavorable conservation status. Long-distance migrants, species of open cultural landscapes, and coastal and marine birds are particularly at risk (Hüppop et al. 2013).
Causes of Decline
The main cause of species decline is still the intensification of agriculture, leading to habitat loss or degradation. Changes in cultivation practices, pesticide use, and over-fertilization are reducing the food sources and the suitability of habitats for birds. Climate change is also causing shifts in natural processes, such as plant growth, insect availability, and bird breeding times, which can lead to desynchronization. This means birds may not find enough food during breeding or migratory rest stops. Other threats include hunting, trapping, collisions, and predation, particularly by non-native mammals like raccoons (Hüppop et al. 2013, MPG 2017).
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Refresh your knowledge with courses from the NABU|naturgucker Academy - You can find out what makes a bird and what distinguishing features it has in the bird course. Goldfinches, (c) Kerstin Kleinke/NABU-naturgucker.de
Sources
BMUV: Federal Ministry for Nature Conservation, Environment, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (28.02.2022): Natura 2000. Retrieved on 11.12.2022, available at https://www.bmuv.de/themen/naturschutz-artenvielfalt/naturschutz-biologische-vielfalt/gebietsschutz-und-vernetzung/natura-2000
DDA: Federation of German Avifaunists (n.d.): Red List of Breeding Birds. 6th German Edition. Retrieved on 11.12.2022, available at https://www.dda-web.de/voegel/rote-liste-brutvoegel
Hüppop, O., Bauer, H.-G., Haupt, H., Ryslavy, T., Südbeck, P. & Wahl, J. (2013): Red List of Migratory Bird Species in Germany, 1st Edition, December 31, 2012. In: Reports on Bird Protection. Volume 49/50: pp. 23 – 26.
MPG: Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science e.V. (22.06.2021): Red List Breeding Birds: Bird Decline in Germany Continues. Retrieved on 20.12.2022, available at https://www.mpg.de/17068319/rote-liste-voegel-2020
MPG: Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science e.V. (16.05.2017): Red Lists for Better Bird Protection. Retrieved on 20.12.2022, available at https://www.mpg.de/rote-liste-vogelschutz
DDA: Dachverband Deutscher Avifaunisten (o. D.): Rote Liste der Brutvögel. 6. gesamtdeutsche Fassung. Abgerufen am 11.12.2022, verfügbar unter https://www.dda-web.de/voegel/rote-liste-brutvoegel
Hüppop, O., Bauer, H.-G., Haupt, H., Ryslavy, T., Südbeck, P. & Wahl, J. (2013): Rote Liste wandernder Vogelarten Deutschlands, 1. Fassung, 31.Dezember 2012. In: Berichte zum Vogelschutz. Band 49/50: S. 23 – 26.
MPG: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. (22.06.2021): Rote Liste Brutvögel: Vogelsterben in Deutschland geht weiter. Abgerufen am 20.12.2022, verfügbar unter https://www.mpg.de/17068319/rote-liste-voegel-2020
MPG: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. (16.05.2017): Rote Listen für mehr Vogelschutz. Abgerufen am 20.12.2022, verfügbar unter https://www.mpg.de/rote-liste-vogelschutz