ICARUS Projects

Our mission

The biodiversity crisis is one of the most pressing challenges we face today, with many species in decline worldwide. European songbird populations, for example, have declined by around 30% in the past 25 years. Yet, the reasons behind their disappearance remain elusive. 

Many studies focus on protecting rare and endangered species, but even common species — like the songbirds we see outside every day — are silently disappearing. Their abundance, as in the case of blackbirds, makes them excellent candidates for large-scale monitoring, providing valuable insights into ecosystem health.

Tracking animal movements is a powerful tool for understanding species decline. 

The ICARUS initiative uses state-of-the-art tracking technology to monitor the movements of birds, bats, and insects. By focusing on common, highly mobile species, we aim to study the causes of population declines by exploring the species’ various movement patterns — from local habitat use to global migration — and linking those to survival.
When, where, and why do birds die? [more]
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