© Jari Peltomäki

to the bird of the day
Collared Sand Martin
In Switzerland the Sand Martin breeds in colonies in gravel pits, whereas it use ...
© Alexander Jaquemet

Learn more!
Visitor Centre
Welcome to the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach!
© Marcel Burkhardt

Learn more!
The return of migratory birds
Migratory birds are the heralds of spring. Each species follows a clear schedule when returning from its winter quarters.
© Lukas Linder

Learn more!
Ornitho.ch
ornitho.ch is the official birding exchange platform in Switzerland

Donate Now

News

The 22nd conference of the European Bird Census Council (EBCC) entitled Bird Numbers 2022 "Beyond the Atlas: challenges and opportunities" takes place...

EBCC in Lucerne

Learn more

Understanding and conserving birds calls for collaboration beyond national borders. The Swiss Ornithological Institute has been engaging in internatio...

Research and conservation across borders

Learn more

At the Swiss Ornithological Institute, one of our core tasks is to keep track of the presence and numbers of breeding and wintering birds in Switzerla...

Counting birds all year round

Birds of Switzerland

Welcome to the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach.

As a non-profit foundation sponsored by the public we are engaged in research and conservation projects and launch information campaigns in support of our native birds.

About the Institute

Visitor centre

Learn more

Get to know Switzerland's birdlife in a whole new way. Become a bird yourself, let yourself be ringed and find out what bird you are.

Collared Sand Martin

Visitor Centre

The return of migratory birds

Ornitho.ch

News

EBCC in Lucerne

Research and conservation across borders

Counting birds all year round

Welcome to the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach.

Visitor centre

Visit