Introducing: the ICARUS birds project

A new initiative from ICARUS invites collaborators to track common birds in an effort to understand where, how, and why they die

The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior is launching a new project — ICARUS Birds — to investigate why we are losing birds that were once common in our gardens and forests. By tracking their movements—from where they live to where they migrate globally—we aim to uncover the factors that help them to survive and thrive. We invite ornithologists and researchers across Europe to collaborate in this large-scale effort to tag and monitor birds.

The biodiversity crisis

Biodiversity loss is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Over the past 25 years, European songbird populations have declined by approximately 30%, yet the reasons behind their disappearance remain poorly understood. While conservation efforts often focus on rare or endangered species, even familiar birds—like the blackbirds we see in our gardens every day—are declining unnoticed. But common birds are a powerful key to unlock answers. Their widespread presence makes them ideal for large-scale monitoring, providing valuable insights into ecosystem health.

Tracking 5,000 birds across 5 key species

To identify the key factors driving bird mortality, we will track 5,000 individuals from five widespread species:

• European kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
• Common swift (Apus apus)
• Song thrush (Turdus philomelos)
• Common blackbird (Turdus merula)
• European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

By studying the movement patterns and survival of these species, we aim to better understand the causes of population changes and mortality risks.

We need your expertise

To achieve this goal, we seek collaboration with experienced bird ringers and ongoing research projects across Europe. Our partners will capture and tag birds during migration or nesting periods, providing crucial data on their movements and mortality.

Do you work with these five species? Are you involved in bird research and interested in enhancing your work with tracking data? Do you regularly capture these birds and want to track their fate—when and where they may die?

If so, we invite you to join us!

Visit our project website to learn more about the tags, tracking technology, cooperation agreement, and application process.