Citril finch species protection program in the Black Forest

What is this project about?

The citril finch Carduelis citrinella s a bird species endemic to Europe. Its occurrence in southwestern and central Europe is restricted to a few montane to subalpine high-altitude habitats between 1,000 and 2,000 m. Semi-open, mosaic-like habitats with individual trees and varied mountain meadows are preferred.

There is a continuing population decline in all areas of occurrence, and in some areas the species is already extinct.
In the Black Forest, for example, the common citril finch, which was still widespread in the 1980s, has declined from around 800 breeding pairs to 20 pairs in 2021.

For this reason, a program to save the citril finch in the Black Forest was launched in spring 2022. The aim is to record the remaining population as accurately as possible and document its breeding success. The reasons for the sharp population decline are to be identified and the habitat improved in order to ensure the recovery and long-term conservation of the population.

Among other things, a lack of food and infestation with mites (Cnemidocoptic sp.) was found in 20-30% of the population. Depending on the health of the animals, mite infestation can lead to severe restrictions and even death if left untreated.

What does OekoFor do?

We provide our ecoPi:Bird recorders for acoustic monitoring.

The data from the recorders should help to better understand the habitat use and document the use of feeding areas. In addition, the presence of individuals in winter in areas that are difficult to access and their return from wintering areas can be recorded. The live transmission and viewing of recorded acoustic data in the ecoPi LiveApp enables prompt action and observers can collect further data at the recording location.

In addition, the recorders can also be used to permanently acoustically record the peripheral areas of the core population or former breeding areas and thus check for the presence of the species.

Find out more about the ecoPi-System and the ecoPi LiveApp ↗

Further links

• Publication on this topic: In-situ and ex-situ measures to save the Citril Finch Carduelis citrinella, a European endemic mountain bird on the edge ↗

• Publication about Cnemidocoptic mange in Citril Finches ↗

News

• March 2024

  The total of 13 recorders for this year’s recording season are deployed.

• April 2023

  The program will be continued.
  A total of 12 recorders will be deployed at old and new detection sites.

• February 2022

  The species conservation program to save the citril finch in the Black Forest begins.
  The first recorders will be deployed at known sites in the southern Black Forest.

Partner

The species protection program for the citril finch is financed by the Freiburg Regional Council. The project is managed and coordinated by ABL Freiburg - Büro für Landschaftsökologie.