Visiting centre - Swiss Ornithological Institute

Our attractions

Survival

Experience the world from a bird's perspective

Experience the world from a bird’s perspective. You will be given a ring, hatch from the egg, choose your food and migration strategy, and be confronted with a variety of dangers.

Garden and Aviaries

With us, your prospects are bright

The banks of Lake Sempach are an inviting place to relax. In the natural paradise of the Ornithological Institute’s garden, you can watch the birds both inside and outside the aviary.

Singphony

Do you understand the language used by “Twitchers”?

In the Singphony, you are introduced to the secrets of bird language and can learn the basics of birdsong.

Bird watch

Fly through Switzerland with our birds.

The Bird Watch cinema features surprising and fun snapshots caught on film showing birds across Switzerland.

In 2017, the Visitor Centre received the sustainability prize at the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) in Zagreb. Praise was expressed for the exhibition concept, which also stands out in international comparisons, and its environmentally friendly implementation. As well as representing pioneering achievements in terms of building ecology, the building and exhibition meet the requirements of Minergie P-Eco for minimum energy consumption and the use of environmentally friendly building materials. The Swiss Ornithological Institute’s exhibition is the first in the world to meet these criteria.

We are part of the Swisstainable sustainability programme, which brings together administrations and organisations from across the Swiss tourism sector. By participating in this programme, we commit ourselves to continuous sustainable corporate development, as well as pursuing measures in the area of sustainability and therefore making a tangible contribution to sustainable Swiss tourism. More about Swisstainable: switzerland.com/en/swisstainable.