Checklist of the birds of Bavaria 1994

Einhard Bezzel, Ornithologische Gesellschaft in Bayern e.V.

Abstract:

This checklist of the birds of Bavaria (70553 km²) gives German and scientific names and short information on the recent status of each species recorded up to 31.12.1993. Taxonomy, nomenclature, and status symbols with some minor changes follow Barthel´s checklist of Germany (1993). Since 1800 366 bird species (category A, B, BD and C) have been recorded within the present borders of Bavaria. Those 343 species reliably recorded in an apparently wild state since 1950 are included in category A, 20 species recorded only before 1950 in an apparently wild state in category B and BD. 3 species in category C are introduced (for more details cf. chapter 4). Certain or most likely escapees from captivity are listed in category D; they are not part of the Bavarian list and therefore listed in an appendix which certainly is not complete. 226 species of category A-C have bred in Bavaria since 1800, but only 186 species are part of the current breeding avifauna (status 2-4 in column 2 of the list). 28 species (category 1) have bred at least once or do not breed regularly any more at present. For 12 former breeding species there is no breeding record since 1950 (category 0). Comments on numbers and regularity (chapter 4) indicate that for some species the breeding as well as the seasonal status may change in the near future due to large-scale distributional or regional environmental changes or improved knowledge. 25 species for which the informations are doubtful or most likely do not refer to wild birds are excluded from the Bavarian list. Some of them may be added if further informations are available and the national or regional rarity committee has checked the reports.

This is only a status list of all Bavarian birds. For more detailed information see the German version.

1. Birds of Bavaria: Status List

Abbreviations in the three columns after the species' name.

Column 1: category

A: Recorded in Bavaria in an apparently wild state at least once since 1 January 1950 (343 species).
B: Recorded in Bavaria in an apparenly wild state at least once between 1800 and 31 December 1949, but not subsequently (14 species).
C: originally not recorded but introduced by man; has established a feral self-sustaining breeding population (3 species).
D: Recorded in Bavaria as certain or most likely captive escapees. Some of the species have bred in the wild in Bavaria. These species are not included in the Bavarian list but listed in an appendix.
AC: The species, formerly only migrant or vinter visitor in Bavaria, has been introduced by man as a feral breeding bird (4 species).
BD: Recorded in Bavaria in an apparently wild state before 1950, but as certain or most likely escapees thereafter (6 species).

Column 2: Breeding status

0: Former breeding species, no breeding record since 1950 (12 species).
1: Before 1950 at least for a longer period regular breeding species; since 1950 either disappeared as a breeding species or only irregular breeding confirmed (8 species).
(1): Bred irregularly at least once since 1850 (20 species).
2: Breeds annually or nearly annually but locally and in low to very low numbers (26 species).
3: Regular breeding species, but only in certain areas or only locally in high densities (60 species).
4: Regular breeding species in suitable habitats in most parts of Bavaria (100 species).

Column 3: seasonal status

J: present throughout the year, however, breeding and wintering population may not be identical.
Z/z: Migrant and passage visitor; majority of breeding birds leave Bavaria in winter or birds from other areas passing in high numbers (Z) or only exceptionally in more than 50 individuals per year (z).
W/w: Winter visitor; birds from other countries winter regularly at least in some areas in good numbers (W); number of wintering birds considerably lower than during summer, spring and autumn, or only exceptionally more than 50 birds (w).
A/a: Scarce or irregular visitor; since 1970 recorded only up to every second year and not more than 3 records per year on average (A) or only up to 5 records since 1950 (a).