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Republic of Austria

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ©John Buckingham Website

Austria is a country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous city and state with close to two million inhabitants. Austria is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The landlocked country occupies an area of just under 84,000 km2 (c. 32,000 square miles) and has a population of over 9 million people.

Austria is a largely mountainous country because of its location in the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria. Of the total area of Austria only about a quarter can be considered low lying, only 32% of the country is below 500 metres. The Alps of western Austria give way somewhat into low lands and plains in the eastern part of the country. It can be divided into five areas, the biggest being the Eastern Alps, which constitute over 60% of the nation’s total area. The Austrian foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for over 10% and the foothills in the east and areas surrounding the periphery of the Pannoni low country amount to over 10% of the total landmass. The second greater mountain area (much lower than the Alps) is situated in the north. Known as the Austrian granite plateau, it is located in the central area of the Bohemian Mass and accounts for 10% of Austria. The Austrian portion of the Vienna basin makes up the remainder.

Austrian Alps – ©Petr Drápalík Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Phytogeographically, Austria belongs to the Central European province of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. According to the WWF, the territory of Austria can be subdivided into four ecoregions: the Central European mixed forests, Pannonian mixed forests, Alps conifer and mixed forests, and Western European broadleaf forests.

The greater part of Austria lies in the cool/temperate climate zone, where humid westerly winds predominate. With nearly three-quarters of the country dominated by the Alps, the alpine climate is predominant. In the east, in the Pannonian Plain and along the Danube valley, the climate shows continental features with less rain than the alpine areas. Although Austria is cold in the winter (−10 to 0 °C), summer temperatures can be relatively high, with average temperatures in the mid-20s. Compared to most European countries, Austria is ecologically well endowed.

Birding Austria

Austria’s amazing variety of habitat types makes it an ideal place for birding. From the steppe landscape in the East with its Great Bustard Otis tarda, Saker Falco cherugg and Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca through the alpine foothills with their White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos, Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva to the high altitudes of the Alps with their Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis and White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis, there are breath-taking birds galore.

In spite of the fact that you can travel through all of these habitats by train in four hours, birdwatching is not the Volkssport or national pastime that it is in the UK. This is not to say that the Austrians do not love the outdoors. They do, but they often speed through it schussing down the Alps on their skis in the winter, running up the mountains in their hiking boots or even trainers in the autumn or trying to outrun each other on their mountain bikes in the spring and summer.

Lake Neusiedl – ©Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

One of the few places you’ll find them stopping to look at birds is around Lake Neusiedl and the smaller intermittent salt lakes of the Seewinkel area. Here can meet droves of birdwatchers peering through their spotting scopes, but ever on the lookout for cyclists and horse-drawn carriages full of wine-drinking revellers competing for the same trails and the same breath-taking views.

Elsewhere in the country if you’re caught with a pair of binoculars, you will most likely be mistaken for a hunter or forester. It is for them that the famous Swarovski company, located in the Austrian province of Tyrol, first started making their excellent field glasses.

If you have any questions on birding in Austria or content for this page, Leander Khil (email address below) will try to help.

Contributors
Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 460

    (As at August 2024)

    National Bird: Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Checklist

  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Austria , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.

  • BirdLife Austria

    PDF Checklist
    List of Austrian Bird Species compiled by Andreas Ranner 2016

  • Wikipedia

    Annotated List
    This is a list of the bird species recorded in Austria. The avifauna of Austria included a total of 458 species as of July 2023 according to the Avifaunistic Commission of BirdLife Austria (Avifaunistische Kommission, AFK) with supplemental additions from Avibase.[1] Of them, 9 have been introduced by humans. Eighteen species have not been recorded in the wild since 1950.

  • eBird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
Useful Reading

  • Finding Birds in Eastern Austria

    | By Dave Gosney | Easybirder | 1994 | Paperback | 22 pages, b/w maps | ISBN: 9781907316333 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Important Bird Areas in Austria

    (Die wichtigsten Gebiete für den Vogelschutz in Osterreich) | by Michael Dvorak | Naturhistorisches Museum Wien | 2009 | Paperback | 576 pages, colour photos | Out of Print | ISBN: 9783902421357 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Where to Watch Birds in Carinthia, Austria

    | (Vögel Beobachten in Kärnten) | By Gerald Malle & Peter Wiedner | Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein für Kärnten | 2017 | Paperback | 160 pages, colour photos, colour maps, colour tables | ISBN: 9783853280737 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Österreichischer Brutvogelatlas 2013-2018

    | German only | (Austrian Breeding Bird Atlas 2013-2018) | By Vienna Natural History Museum / Naturhistorisches Museum Wien | 2024 | Hardback | 680 pages, colour photos, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9783903096721 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Festivals & Bird Fairs

  • Pannonian Bird Experience

    Bird Fair Website
    Annual birdwatching fair in the Neusiedler See
Museums & Universities

  • Natural History Museum Graz

    Website
    We house natural history collections in the areas of botany, geology, mineralogy, mycology, paleontology and zoology. An extensive educational and event program at various locations deepens the experience and stimulates discussion.

  • Natural History Museum Vienna

    Website
    The Natural History Museum Vienna preserves, expands, researches and presents its extensive collections covering biology, earth sciences, anthropology and archaeology in a building designed as a total work of art. It conveys the diversity of nature, the evolution of Planet Earth and life, and the related cultural development of humankind. Furthermore, it serves as an inspirational meeting place for dialogue and exchange of ideas between the scientific community and the general public.
Organisations

  • Austrian Avifaunistic Committee

    Website
    The Austrian Avifaunistic Committee (Avifaunistische Kommission - AFK) collects, reviews and processes records of rare bird species and vagrants to Austria. On the website, you'll find the list of species that should be reported to the AFK, the latest records reviewed, published reports, a reporting form, the Austrian list of bird species and more

  • BirdLife Austria

    Website
    Die F

  • BirdLife Austria

    Website

  • Birdlife Austria - Vorarlberg

    Website
    Museumplatz 1/10/8, A-1070 Wien +43 1 523 4651 birdlife@blackbox.net This atlas contains specifications on all 159 species of breeding bird in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg. For each species the atlas records their distribution, habitat, density, and seasonal occurrence and provides a distribution map. This work is based on an almost 10-year study by our team of several researchers and covers 278 pages

  • Club 300 Austria

    Website
    A ranking of Austria's twitchers and rarity-news.

  • PanEuropean Common Bird Monitoring Scheme - Austria

    Website
    Das Monitoring bildet eine wesentliche Grundlage für unsere Vogelschutz-Arbeit. Das Sammeln von Wissen über die heimischen Vögel ist die Basis für ihre Überwachung; nur so können wir uns auch für ihren Schutz starkmachen. BirdLife ist stolz auf ein großes Netzwerk an Hunderten Freiwilligen, die uns bei Kartierungsarbeiten unterstützen.
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • *Protected areas of Austria

    InformationSatellite View
    Biosphere reserves, parks, nature reserves etc

  • NP Donau-Auen

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Situated between the European capitals Vienna and Bratislava, the Donau-Auen National Park preserves the last remaining major wetlands environment in Central Europe. Here, the Danube is still free flowing and is the lifeline of the National Park. It creates a habitat for numerous animals and plants, some of which are rare species. Accompanied on guided walking tours or on boats, visitors have ample opportunity to get to know the fascinating world of the "Donau-Auen", the Danube wetlands. A wealth of information is available at the schlossORTH National Park Centre in the town Orth on the Danube.

  • NP Gesäuse

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Water, forest, alpine pastures and rock are the defining elements of Gesäuse National Park. Starting in the valley of the blue river Enns, the hiker gets through various altitudinal belts: From the zone of green woods up to the region of alpine pastures where towering rocks of Dachstein limestone build the roof of the national park.

  • NP Hohe Tauern

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The largest nature reserve of the Alps… A wild, primeval landscape and a landscape cultivated by mountain farmers. These are the two faces of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The nature reserve encompasses sweeping, primeval Alpine landscapes, such as glaciers, rock faces and turf, as well as mountain pasture landscapes which have been carefully and painstakingly cultivated for centuries. The National Park covers parts of the three provinces of Carinthia, Salzburg and Tyrol and is now the largest nature reserve in Central Europe, with an area of over 1,834 km2.

  • NP Kalkalpen

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Kalkalpen National Park is made up of two mountain ranges: The Reichraminger Hintergebirge is one of Austria's largest distinct forest areas - a sea of forest, which has not yet been dissected by public transportation routes and human habitation. Here, you will also find one of the longest intact stream systems of the Eastern Alps. The Sengsengebirge is a northern outpost of the Limestone Alps. The ca. 20 km long main ridge reaches its highest point at the Hoher Nock (1,963 m).

  • NP Neusiedler See

    InformationSatellite View
    This national park on the plains at the heart of Europe - reached from both Austria and Hungary - shows that nature knows no boundaries. Its aim is the long-term preservation of habitats for a wide variety of bird and plant life at the point where the Alps meet the Euro-Asiatic plains. The basis for the Park was created by the inclusion of large privately owned areas of cultivated land.

  • NP Rhein Delta

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The rhine delta in the eastern Lake Constance is a remarkable landscape: Between the old Rhine at the border between Austria and Switzerland and the river Dornbirnerach, there are around 2000 hectares of shallow water, reed belts, wet meadows and alluvial forests. The wetland is both an important breeding area and stopover site for birds – up to today, more than 300 species have been recorded in the rhine delta.

  • NP Thayatal

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The National Park Thayatal guarantees, together with the Czech Národni park Podyjí, the conservation of one of the most beautiful, romantic and biodiversity rich valley landscapes. There are not many places where such a diversity of flora and fauna can be found in a close space as here at the Thaya. Nature has the absolute priority; visitors are invited to look, wonder and relax. Take the time to get to know and understand Nature's best sides.

  • WS Absetzbecken Hohenau – Ringelsdorf Wetland

    Facebook PageSatellite View
    The wetland area of the Absetzbecken Hohenau – Ringelsdorf (total area 55 ha) is an artificial creation, important chiefly for waterfowl and waders. This area is maintained and protected as a substitute for natural wetlands (natural backwaters of lowland rivers, muddy habitats), which hardly exist any longer in Central Europe. The water from the nearby river March and the water pumping system of the sugar factory make it possible to keep certain areas wet and free from vegetation. The vogel.schau.plätze have been maintained and protected since 1998 by the AURING society.
Sightings, News & Forums

  • eird

    Sightings
    eBirding This Month

  • ornitho.at

    Observations
    Welcome to ornitho.at hosted by BirdLife Austria. This site provides a new way of collecting, managing and illustrating ornithological observations for the whole of Austria. The data entered here is intended to aid the study and protection of Austria’s native avifauna. Correctness of data shown here cannot be guaranteed. The use of ornitho.at is free of charge.
Guides & Tour Operators

  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    Please contact us for customized tours.

  • EcoTours

    Tour Operator
    Austria's amazing variety of habitats makes it an ideal place for birding, especially in combination with the Hungarian side of Lake Neusiedl.

  • Hans Uhl - Birding Guide

    Guide
    Hans Uhl - uhl@naturundmensch.com - is an ornithologist, naturalist, social worker and meditation guide located in the province of Upper Austria who runs the Office for the Integration of Nature and Man…

  • Leander Khil - Birding Guide

    Guide
    I am guiding private birding tours in- and outside of Austria. Full-day tours to the Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel or other parts of Austria can be booked individually - I'm looking forward to your inquiry!

  • Naturalist Journeys

    Tour Operator
    Naturalist Journeys offers a fantastic birding tour to the border zones of Austria and Hungary. Our local expert guide leads this European birding tour. Choose one of the Austria-Hungary birding tours below to learn more.

  • Nature Watch

    Local Tour Operator
    Hunt down your prey, zoom in and focus, then savour the moment as you take your shot. The best kind of hunting takes place on the Nature Watch.

  • NatureTrek

    Tour Operator
    Go Slow in the Austrian Alps

  • Rockjumper

    Tour Operator
    Our comprehensive Central and Eastern European birding tour takes in several unique areas situated in four countries

  • Saker Tours

    Tour Operator
    Now we offer you the possible combination of this GT with our revised Danube Delta and Dobrudja Spring Tour or with the Austria, Slovenia and Croatia Spring Tour.

  • Travelling Naturalist

    Tour Operator
    We visit the lakes, forests and mountains of wonderful Eastern Austria in spring, at a time when the breeding season is in full swing, and the mountains are in flower, and again in early autumn, with the excitement of passage migrants…

  • heatherLea

    Tour Operator
    Brilliant summer birding with an optional Vienna extension
Trip Reports

  • 2015 [07 July] - Bob Shiret - Birds & Butterflies

    Report
    ...Fairly obviously Obergurgl would not be the ideal location to come for a week’s intensive birding, but if you, like us you want to combine a walking holiday in high summer without excessive heat in fabulous surroundings whilst enjoying some rare birds and butterflies then you will not be disappointed...

  • 2019 [07 July] - Bob Shiret

    PDF Report
    This area is about five minutes walk from the Lohmann Hotel: follow the road down out of the rear of the hotel onto the meadow below and before you reach a dung heap there is a path on the right through the meadow which leads up to a ravine type walk for a couple of hundred metres. This area was good for Common Redpoll, Black Redstart, Linnet, Crag Martin, Sand Martin, Swift, Great Tit, Coal Tit, House Sparrow, Crow, Siskin, White Wagtail, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Crow, Treecreeper and Wheatear

  • 2023 [06 June] - Gerard Gorman

    PDF Report
    Annotated List

  • 2023 [07 July] - Bob Shiret

    PDF Report
    ...Redpolls and Linnets were common behind the hotel as were Cuckoos, Crag Martins, Sand Martins and Common Swifts...

  • 2024 [06 June] - Bob Shiret

    PDF Report
    ...Other interesting birds seen on our trip were a Golden Eagle at eye level when having a coffee in a café being harassed by two Ravens. Alpine Choughs at the mid station at Solden and Blackbirds and Song Thrushes that we have never seen here before...
Places to Stay

  • St. Martins Therme & Lodge

    Accommodation
    Discover central europe's premier lodge at the border of Austria's Puszta, the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel national park. St. Martins offers regular tours on nature and wildlife to the Austrian and Hungarian parts of the region as well as custom made itineraries fitted to your needs.
Other Links

  • Bird.at

    Website
    bird.at - the austrian website for birdwatchers and enthusiasts!

  • Vivara Naturschutzprodukte

    Website
    Alle Produkte werden speziell auf die Ansprüche wild lebender Kleintiere wie Vögel, Igel oder Fledermäuse hin entwickelt und regelmäßig von Ornithologen und Biologen analysiert und getestet…

  • ornitho.at

    Website
    Welcome to ornitho.at hosted by BirdLife Austria. This site provides a new way of collecting, managing and illustrating ornithological observations for the whole of Austria. The data entered here is intended to aid the study and protection of Austria’s native avifauna. Correctness of data shown here cannot be guaranteed. The use of ornitho.at is free of charge.
Blogs

  • Gilbert Hafner - Natur im Seewinkel

    BLOG
    The 'Neusiedler See' is a steppe lake and is situated between the easternmost parts of the Alps and the western part of the Small Hungarian Plain. From the biological point of view this area offers a variety of habitats: Alpine, Pannonic, Asian, Mediterranean, and Nordic influences enrich the extra-ordinary diversity with more than 340 different bird species.

  • Leander Khil - Birds & Photography

    BLOG
    Leander Khil reports on birds and photography…

  • Martin Suanjak - Birding Suanjak

    BLOG
    Young birder Martin Suanjak writes about his birding discoveries in Austria and abroad… not updated since 2014
Photographers & Artists

  • Photographer - Leander Khil

    Gallery

  • Photographer - Otto Samwald

    Gallery

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