Atlas

    Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas
    2013–2016

    Distribution and population trends of birds
    in Switzerland and Liechtenstein

    Birds face a changing world

    The state of birdlife reflects our relationship with nature and our landscapes. The atlas presents the current distribution, abundance and altitudinal distribution of all breeding birds in Switzerland and Liechtenstein with unprecedented precision. Most importantly, it highlights the profound changes that have taken place in the Swiss avifauna over the past 20 to 60 years. This comprehensive reference book provides an important foundation for the protection and conservation of native birds and their habitats.

    Available in German, French and Italian

    A look inside

    During four years, more than 2000 volunteers were out in the field documenting the bird populations of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Their effort has resulted in a unique overview of the distribution and current state of our breeding birds.

    249
    species or
    subspecies accounts
    345
    photos
    3.7
    kilos of in-depth
    ornithological
    knowledge
    1'074
    atlas maps
    46
    focus topics
    648
    pages
    341
    charts

    «Thanks to the dedication of more than 2000 volunteer collaborators, a wealth of data was collected that describes the state of our native birdlife in detail.»

    Marc Chardonnens
    Director of the Federal Office for the Environment
    FOEN
    © Marcel Burkhardt

    «For the next 20 years, the Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016 will be the standard work of reference when it comes to assessing the state of our native bird communities and how they are changing over time.»

    Prof. Dr. Lukas Jenni
    Chairman of the Institute Management
    and Scientific Director Ornithological Institute

    Key findings

    Overall, the number of species has remained constant since 1993–1996. But many breeding bird species have declining populations and are also experiencing range loss.

    Many long-distance migrants have lost ground. Insectivores in particular are in steady decline.

    Several birds of prey have made a longterm recovery. These popular, iconic birds are well protected by law.

    The effects of global warming are clearly visible and have caused several species to move to higher ground.

    Farmland birds have suffered the greatest losses. While the lowlands are most affected, pressure is increasing in the mountains as well.

    Several woodland species have increased in number. The growing forest area, nature-friendly forest management and more deadwood have given woodland birds a boost.

    Conservation action has become essential. Recovery measures have succeeded in reversing the trend for several threatened species.

    Special issue of «The State of Birds in Switzerland»

    The publication «The State of Birds in Switzerland»: Special Issue on the Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016” summarises the key findings of the new breeding bird atlas and takes stock of the developments of the past 20 years.

    Contents of the atlas

    Species – detailed distribution and population trends for each species. Learn more
    European Honey-buzzard European Honey-buzzard
    moderate increase

    moderate increase
    Near Threatened (NT)

    Near Threatened (NT)

    Prioritätsart

    Focus
    Northern House Martin Northern House Martin
    moderate decline

    moderate decline
    Near Threatened (NT)

    Near Threatened (NT)

    Prioritätsart

    Focus
    Purple Heron Purple Heron
    strong increase

    strong increase
    Critically Endangered (CR)

    Critically Endangered (CR)

    Prioritätsart

    Focus
    Eurasian Dotterel Eurasian Dotterel
    moderate increase

    moderate increase

    Prioritätsart

    Focus
    Learn more
    Focus – exploring topics and trends relevant to several species Learn more

    Many specialist species in open woodland

    Open woodland is characterised by gaps in the canopy that allow a lot of light to reach the ground. Many specialist species rely on open woodland as habitat,…

    Species concerned

    Unexpected breeders

    The distribution of breeding birds is in constant flux. Occasionally, birds that normally breed far from Switzerland will temporarily or permanently settle…

    Species concerned

    The Alps – a refuge for farmland birds?

    While farmland birds came under pressure on the Central Plateau several decades ago, many species continued to maintain substantial populations in mountain…

    Species concerned
    Learn more
    Background - a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the atlas Learn more

    How was the swiss breeding bird atlas book made?

    A short video shows how the book was produced at the printing company Stämpfli AG and at the bindery Bubu AG.

    The Swiss breeding bird atlas in a nutshell (Explainervideo)

    In a nutshell - a short movie of the Swiss breeding bird atlas

    Learn more
    Methods - from data collection to final results Learn more

    The atlas project presented enormous challenges in terms of the organisation of fieldwork, the search for volunteers and the subsequent analysis of data. The approximately 200 species of breeding birds require different survey methods depending on their occurrence, abundance and biology. Methods for producing the maps are also varied.

    Learn more

    Tremendous support

    Countless individuals, organisations and institutions contributed to the success of the 2013–2016 breeding bird atlas in a number of ways. Special thanks goes to all field ornithologists who collected the data used in the production of the atlas.

    We estimate that volunteer observers spent a total of about 3.9 working years on fieldwork and travelled 46 438 km.

    more than
    2000
    volunteer collaborators
    46'438 
    kilometres covered
    during the territory
    mapping surveys
    3'169'421
    bird observations
    687
    observers who
    submitted at least
    1000 records
    70
    authors
    1'487
    donors
    © Archive Vogelwarte
    © Marcel Burkhardt

    «Overall, the results of the large bird census are sobering. This is due to the fact that a number of species had to leave their feathers untouched, especially birds from the agricultural area.»

    Peter Knaus
    Project manager and main author

    Order the book

    Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016

    Distribution and population trends of birds
    in Switzerland and Liechtenstein

    648 pages 24x32 cm
    Hardcover
    Climate-neutral printing on FSC-certified paper
    produit en Suisse
    Produced in Switzerland
    Available in German, French and Italian

    CHF 88.00 

    Of the approximately 200 breeding bird species
    in Switzerland, more than half are currently threatened
    or considered near-threatened.

    Donate now › 

    Partners

    Special thanks goes to the following donors for their generous support.