Great Tit Named Austria’s Most Common Bird

Great Tit Named Austria’s Most Common Bird

Image: BirdLife Austria

 

Austria’s annual winter bird count has once again named the great tit as the country’s most commonly spotted bird.

The count, organised by the organisation BirdLife Austria, encourages the public to record the birds they see in their gardens, with this year’s event taking place from 4 to 6 January.

Over 17,000 reports were submitted across the country, confirming the great tit (Parus major) as the top species, followed by the house sparrow and the Eurasian tree sparrow. BirdLife Austria also expressed delight at the high number of bramblings (Fringilla montifringilla) recorded this year.

“We are thrilled that so many bramblings were spotted during this year’s ‘Hour of the Winter Birds’,” said project leader Evelyn Hofer.

The brambling, also known as the mountain finch, breeds in the forests of Scandinavia and often migrates to Central Europe during winter to feed on beech nuts. In Austria, it is frequently seen in beech-rich forests and at feeding stations in residential areas.

Birds in Decline

This year’s count recorded an average of 31 birds per garden, in line with recent figures. However, a long-term review from 2010 to 2025 shows a decline in numbers.

BirdLife attributes the drop to milder winters driven by climate change, more frequent mast years (when trees produce large seed crops), and a reduced migration of birds from northern Europe.

Urbanisation and habitat loss are also major concerns. Increasing construction and the spread of gardens designed without nature in mind mean birds are finding it harder to survive in towns and villages.

The public can continue submitting their bird sightings to BirdLife Austria until 14 January. The final results of the winter bird count will be released on 20 January.

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