Exploring Austria's Wildlife: Diverse Animal Residents

Austria is a small, landlocked country in Central Europe, boasting a diverse biome of mountains, forests, foothills, and lakes. The country is home to a plethora of wildlife, including around 246 animal species, 80 mammal species, and 200 bird species. The national symbol of Austria is the black eagle, which represents strength and freedom. The country's national dog is the Styrian coarse-haired sheepdog, a breed with deep roots in Austrian culture. Austria's seven national parks and numerous wildlife reserves are home to some of the country's most unique wildlife, including rare animals such as the Alpine ibex, the Eurasian lynx, and the brown bear.

Birds of Austria

Austria is home to a wide variety of birds, with 454 to 458 species recorded in the country as of July 2023. The national bird of Austria is the barn swallow, and the country's flag features a stylized black imperial eagle. The black eagle is also the national animal of Austria, symbolizing strength, courage, and freedom.

Common Birds of Austria

Some of the most common birds found in Austria include:

• Common Chaffinch: This small songbird is incredibly common due to its adaptability. It can be found in various habitats, such as forests, parks, and neighbourhoods with tree cover.
• Common Wood Pigeon: The largest pigeon species in Austria, the common wood pigeon is often found in large flocks in both rural and urban areas.
• Dunnock: One of the most widespread birds in Austria, the dunnock is found in a variety of nesting sites, including hedges, shrubs, gardens, and forest floors.
• Common Blackbird: The Eurasian or common blackbird is one of the most recognizable birds in Austria, often found in gardens, wooded habitats, parks, and farmland.
• Eurasian Blackcap: The Eurasian blackcap will inhabit almost any territory with an abundance of food, including forested areas and gardens.
• Bullfinch (Eurasian): Bullfinches are common in Austria but quite shy, preferring to stay hidden in the cover of trees. They are often found in natural and manufactured habitats.
• Eurasian Collared Dove: The Eurasian collared dove is native to Austria but can now be found worldwide due to a series of unlikely events involving robberies and volcanic eruptions.
• Eurasian Jackdaw: As a member of the crow family, the Eurasian jackdaw prefers open spaces like farmland, pastures, or open woods.
• Eurasian Jay: One of the most strikingly coloured birds in Austria, with a mix of black, white, and blue plumage. They are found in open countryside, meadows, rocky areas, parks, and gardens.
• Magpie (Eurasian): Magpies are intelligent birds that can imitate human speech and recognize themselves in mirrors. They are found in open countryside, meadows, rocky areas, parks, and cities.
• Nuthatch (Eurasian): The Eurasian nuthatch lives in deciduous forests and does not migrate, making it a stable and plentiful species throughout the year.
• Eurasian Siskin: A member of the finch family, the Eurasian siskin is a small, round, bright yellow bird with a cheerful disposition, often found in gardens and backyards.

Birds of Prey in Austria

Austria's mountainous landscape and cool climate make it favourable for several species of birds of prey, including:

• Eagles: The black eagle is the national symbol of Austria, and eagles can be spotted in the Alpine regions.
• Buzzards: Buzzards can also be found in the Alpine regions.
• Kingfishers: The Danube region is a great spot for bird watchers, where kingfishers can be seen along with herons, cormorants, and more.
• Eurasian Marsh-harrier
• Eurasian Sparrowhawk
• European Honey-buzzard
• Black-crowned Night-heron
• Eurasian Oystercatcher
• Eurasian Golden Oriole

Birdwatching Spots in Austria

Some of the best places to see birds in Austria include Ferto-Hansag National Park, Marchegg Reserve, and the Seefeld Area. The Danube region and the Alpine regions also offer excellent bird-watching opportunities, with a wide variety of species to observe.

Alpine animals

Austria's landscape is dominated by mountains, forests, and the foothills of the Alps. The Alpine regions are home to a wide range of wildlife, including:

Birds

The Alpine regions offer a wide range of bird species, including eagles, grouse, and buzzards. The golden eagle, often called the king of the air, is a majestic sight with a wingspan of about two metres. Other birds found in the Austrian Alps include vultures, hawks, and the bearded vulture, which feeds almost exclusively on bones. The bearded vulture has grey plumage when young, and its colour changes to rusty as it ages.

Mammals

The Hohe Tauern National Park is a great place to see larger mammals such as chamois and marmots. The Alpine ibex is one of Austria's most beloved native animals and can be spotted in the Hohe Tauern National Park. The ibex is well-suited to navigating steep rock faces and lives above the tree line. They were once a popular target for hunters, which brought them to the point of extinction, but now there are tens of thousands of them in the Alps.

The red squirrel is a protected species in the Austrian Alps, and sightings are rare, but they can be spotted in the woodlands surrounding Ehrwald.

Fish

The Danube, the second-longest river in Europe, runs through northern Austria, providing an excellent source of freshwater fish. The most common fish in Austria are trout, carp, and pike.

Reptiles and amphibians

Austria is home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, with over half of the species native to the country considered endangered. The Natural History Museum in Vienna has been collecting data on the distribution of these species in Austria for 35 years, and the Austrian Herpetofauna Database currently contains about 110,000 findings.

Amphibians

Amphibians in Austria include a variety of frogs and toads, such as the agile frog, common spadefoot, moor frog, European common frog, European tree frog, natterjack toad, European fire-bellied toad, and common toad. The yellow-bellied toad, which has become rare in the intensively used valleys of Central Europe, is still widespread in the area of Kalkalpen National Park and is considered to be of international importance. Other toads found in Austria include the green toad and the European toad.

Austria is also home to several species of newts, including the smooth newt, Italian crested newt, Danube crested newt, great crested newt, and Alpine newt. The pond newt and common newt are also found in the country. The fire salamander and Alpine salamander are two additional amphibian species found in Austria, with the latter being the only native amphibian that does not require a body of water to reproduce.

Reptiles

Reptiles found in Austria include various snakes and lizards. The smooth snake, also known as the Austrian smooth snake, is a harmless snake that is often mistaken for the adder, the only native venomous snake in the country. The sand lizard and the mountain lizard are two other lizard species found in Austria, with the mountain lizard being one of the smallest reptiles in the country, reaching lengths of around 18 cm.

Tortoises are notably absent from the Kalkalpen National Park, despite being a part of the reptile group. However, the tessellated water snake and the barred grass snake are two snake species found in the country.

Foxes and wolves

Wolves in Austria

Wolves were eliminated from Austria by the late 19th century due to conflicts with livestock husbandry, competition for wild game, and their perceived threat to human life. However, since 2008, wolves have been reappearing within Austrian borders, likely migrating from neighbouring countries. In 2016, camera traps in the northeastern region of Austria captured photos of a wolf pair and two pups, believed to be the first wolves born in Austria since 1882. By 2020, the wolf population in Austria was estimated to number around 20.

The wolves in Austria originate from four different populations: the Western and Southern Alps (Italy, France, and Switzerland), the Dinaric Mountains (Slovenia and Croatia), the Carpathians (Slovakia), and the Central European lowlands (Germany, Western Poland, and the Czech Republic). Initially, most wolves entered Austria from the south, settling in the Alps. However, in recent years, more wolves have been arriving from the Central European lowland population, possibly due to its expansion into the Czech Republic.

The first wolf pack in Austria was formed in 2016 on a military training area in Allentsteig. The number of confirmed adult and subadult wolves increased from 6 in 2016 to 32 in 2019. All packs are located in the lowlands of Northern Austria.

The return of wolves to Austria has sparked a heated public debate. While most Austrians support the return of wolves, some groups, such as sheep keepers and hunters, oppose it and call for wolf-free zones or even a wolf-free Austria. To manage this challenging situation, the Austrian states and federal ministries founded an umbrella organization, "Österreichzentrum Bär, Wolf, Luchs", to support public administrations in handling these issues and promote coexistence between large carnivores and people.

Foxes in Austria

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are also present in Austria and are considered common. They belong to the family Canidae, which includes other species such as jackals and wolves. Foxes live throughout much of Austria and may attack if provoked or startled.

Rare animals

Austria is home to a plethora of wildlife, including many rare species. The country's landscape is dominated by mountains, forests, and the foothills of the Alps, providing habitats for various unique animals. Here are some of the rare animals found in Austria:

Alpine Ibex

The Alpine Ibex is an alpine mountain goat native to the high mountains of Austria's Alps region. They typically inhabit altitudes between 5,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level and are known to graze on rocky cliffs or meadows during the summer months. The main threats to this species include human disturbance from tourism and excessive hunting for their horns and meat. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring the survival of this endangered species.

Alpine Marmot

The Alpine Marmot is a large ground squirrel that inhabits the forests of Austria. It digs burrows beneath the soil surface and primarily feeds on grasses, herbs, and small insects. This species is threatened by deforestation and pollution from agricultural pesticides. Their natural habitats are being destroyed by logging operations, and their food sources are contaminated.

Eurasian Lynx

The Eurasian Lynx is one of Europe's largest wild cat species, mainly found in the densely forested mountainous regions of Austria, especially near the German borderlands. They are elusive and prefer to avoid humans, hunting smaller animals such as rodents and hares. The Eurasian Lynx is considered rare in Austria due to habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal poaching. Conservation efforts are helping to restore their population.

Bavarian Pine Vole

The Bavarian Pine Vole is a rare rodent species once thought to be extinct in the wild. However, a new population was discovered in the state of Tyrol, Austria. This small mammal is facing threats to its survival, and conservation efforts are essential for its long-term survival.

European Hamster

The European Hamster is another rodent species facing challenges. Once widespread across Europe, it is now considered endangered due to habitat loss and pollution. Farmers also consider it a pest. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring the survival of this species, which was once a common part of the European landscape.

Austria's diverse landscapes and ecosystems provide a home to these rare animals, and ongoing conservation efforts are vital to protect them and preserve the country's rich biodiversity.

Frequently asked questions