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Status: March 19, 2021 9:38 PM
The orange-red feathers around the beak and on the chest give the robin its name; they make it recognizable and therefore seemingly popular. The vocal artist is now “Bird of the Year” in 2021.
Germany has chosen its favorite bird: the robin is the “Bird of the Year” in 2021, as announced by the German Union for Conservation of Nature (NABU) and the Bavarian State Association for the Protection of Birds (LBV) . Thus, the songbird prevailed over the other nine candidates who stood for election: common swallow, lapwing, lark, common pigeon, house sparrow, blue tit, kingfisher, golden plover and blackbird. These ten candidates had prevailed among the 307 native species in the preliminary round last year. More than 340,000 bird lovers have cast their votes in the final on the election website in the last two months.
With around four million breeding pairs, the robin is one of the most common birds in this country. The animal, which weighs only up to 20 grams, eats insects and other small animals, berries, and even fish. The species is known for its melodic song, it can live up to 17 years, it can even be seen in cities in summer and winter, and sometimes it even nests in mailboxes, house door ornaments and old watering cans. Those who want to promote the robin plant dense bushes in the garden and do without poison. In 1992, the robin was an annual bird. Back then, acid rain and forest deaths had affected it in some places. Currently, the bird species is not considered endangered.
Birdwatching: Newly Discovered Hobby
According to the LBV, the endangerment of a species is not decisive for it to be “Bird of the Year”. Generally, the “birds of the year” are representative of a broader nature conservation problem. But this year people should just pick their favorite bird, regardless of whether its habitat is particularly valuable or inspires ornithologists.
“Cinemas and theaters are closed. But the birds are always outside and sing,” says Stefanie Bernhardt of the LGW in Hilpoltstein, explaining the large number of participants. Since last year, the LGW has clearly noticed that there is more interest in birds: noticeably more people have contacted the internet and the hotline with questions about the identification of the birds, the correct feeding place or the food. automixed, says Bernhardt.
The public vote will be maintained
Silvia Teich of NABU, therefore, is not surprised that the robin makes the hearts of many voters beat faster: “He is totally popular. He is cute, and everyone has seen him before.”
Since 1971, NABU and LBV have named a new “bird of the year” each year. In the anniversary year, however, the population was allowed to determine this for the first time. In view of the high level of participation in the vote, this procedure should continue, the organizations announced.
