Ornithology (Birds)

In this project we investigate the different nutcracker subspecies and compare them with dietary characteristics and further ecological traits using classical morphometric measurements and digital three-dimensional methods.

In the present project we build high quality sound libraries to facilitate the subsequent development of an automated sound recognizer for the Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer.

In this project we investigate the evolution of ecomorphological traits in eight avian clades and link them to their ecology. We combine macroecological and macroevolutionary perspectives to provide an improved understanding of the processes that shape the evolution of ecological niches in response to changing environmental conditions, and therefore ultimately determine whether there is a correlation between the evolution of climatic niches and trait evolution.

There are two endemic francolin species in Ethiopa. One of them is the Black-fronted Francolin, an bird of the mountain ranges in the South of the country, whose distribution and biology is studied intensively by us.

"German Barcode of Life" ( GBOL ) is a project sponsored by the BMBF and includes the creation of inventories for the gentic characterization of the animals, fungi and plants of germany, using DNA-Barcodes.

German Vertebrata node of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Hummingbirds are among the most species-rich bird families and colonize almost all habitats of the New World. Especially in South America, many colorful, often only range-restricted representatives have developed. The research project focuses on biogeography, morphology, taxonomy, systematics and ecological niches of genera and species with priority distribution in the Andes and their edge regions.