Kiebitz is the Bird of the Year 2026
The annual selection of the Bird of the Year aims to draw attention to the threat to the species and its habitats. Since the year 2000, the Bird of the Year has been announced in Austria by the bird protection organization BirdLife Austria.
BirdLife Austria Appoints Lapwing as Bird of the Year 2026
Among all bird species groups in Austria, field and meadow birds are faring the worst. They suffer primarily from the intensification of agriculture and the loss of habitat in rural areas. The lapwing is a well-known, very popular, and striking bird species that impresses many people with its call, appearance, and flying skills. However, its populations have more than halved in recent decades.
"The lapwing is a symbolic species of the agricultural landscape and is particularly well-suited due to its popularity to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity-friendly agriculture," says Daniel Leopoldsberger, project manager at BirdLife Austria.
Dramatic Decline in the Last 25 Years
Currently, only about 3,800 to 6,900 breeding pairs are counted nationwide, a decrease of 57 percent since 1998. The lapwing is considered potentially endangered in Austria according to the Red List and is listed in the category with the highest priority for action on the BirdLife traffic light list. The main cause is the massive loss of suitable breeding and feeding areas due to intensive agriculture.
The bird was originally an inhabitant of wet and sparsely vegetated meadows with good all-around visibility. However, since marshy meadows have largely been drained and cultivated, the lapwing has lost its original habitat. It has partially managed to transition to an alternative habitat with all-around visibility, the arable landscape. However, especially during the sensitive breeding season from March to June, it is exposed to numerous dangers there.
Initiative "Together for the Lapwing"
The nationwide initiative "Together for the Lapwing," led by BirdLife Austria and the association thema: natur, is specifically committed to the protection of the lapwing and other endangered ground-nesting birds in the domestic agricultural landscape. Currently, targeted work is being done in about 14 project regions nationwide in close collaboration with farmers. Successful predecessor projects have already taken place in Upper Austria.
(Red)
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