- Degree
- HSWT Certificate
- Target group
-
all those interested in nature, students, employees in official and voluntary nature conservation and planning offices
Field ornithology: Examination to determine the biodiversity of Bavaria
Knowledge of species is an important tool: from mapping and evaluating rare and protected bird species in natural history (citizen science), practical nature conservation work, agriculture and forestry to science. The BANU field ornithology certificate can be used to prove ornithological species knowledge acquired in courses, training and/or self-study.
The "Federal Working Group of State-Owned Environmental Education Centres in Nature and Environmental Protection" (BANU) has developed a nationwide certification system that is comparable and defines a transparent, high standard.
Procedure & contents of the field ornithology exam
With the BANU Field Ornithology Certificate Bronze, knowledge of bird species is confirmed to various extents and verified with an examination.
Field Ornithology Certificate Bronze
- Size of the group
-
min. 30 - max. 60
- Price
-
Examination 40 Euro p.p.
- Date
-
11 October 2025
- Registration period
-
1 June – 15 September 2025
- Requirements
-
- Basic knowledge
- At least one year of field experience and intensive involvement with the subject matter
For the Bronze Certificate, knowledge of a selection of 75 native bird species, their systematic classification (family and order), or morphologically defined species groups (see accompanying material), habitat use and legal affairs are tested.
List of the 75 bird species to be tested
Field Ornithology Certificate Silver
- Size of the group
-
min. 15 - max. 20
- Price
-
Examination 60 Euro p.p.
- date
-
17.05.2025 from 8:30 am
- Registration period
-
01.02. - 13.04.2025
- Requirements
-
- Advanced knowledge
- Several years of field experience and intensive involvement with the subject matter
For the silver certificate, knowledge of a selection of 150 native bird species, their systematic classification (family and order), or morphologically defined species groups, morphology, biology and ecology, habitat utilisation and legal affairs are tested. In addition, the identification competence of species occurring in Europe but not included on the list for the silver certificate as well as competence in some field ornithological methods are required.
List of the 150 bird species to be tested
Examination requirements & prerequisites for the certificate examinations
The examination requires at least 80 % of the points to be achieved. If participants achieve more than 90 %, the field ornithology certificate is awarded with distinction.
Further information on examination requirements & examination standards for certificates in field ornithology
The examination requirements are part of the "Knowledge - Qualification - Certification for Biodiversity" programme of the nationwide working group of state-run environmental education centres in nature and environmental protection (BANU). As part of the programme, standardised nationwide certificate examinations are offered for various groups of organisms and qualification courses are held for this purpose.
Target group
The certification programme is aimed at all those interested in nature, students and staff in official and voluntary nature conservation and planning offices. Participation in an examination is independent of the place and period of knowledge acquisition.
The HSWT currently offers the certificate examination for field ornithology bronze and silver.
