2026
Award Recipient: Dr. Wolfgang Fiedler
For his outstanding contributions to the study of bird migration and movement, his pioneering work in advancing bird banding, and his extraordinary commitment to nature conservation, the promotion of young researchers, and international ornithology.
Laudation
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to avian migration research, bird banding, and nature conservation, as well as his longstanding commitment to the advancement of ornithology at the national and international levels.
For more than three decades, Wolfgang Fiedler has been one of the most influential figures in European migratory bird research. As director of the Radolfzell Bird Observatory and its ringing center, he has successfully combined traditional bird banding with state-of-the-art methods of telemetry, movement ecology, and data analysis, thereby making a decisive contribution to our understanding of migratory behavior, population dynamics, and the effects of global environmental changes on bird populations.
Presentation of the 2026 Werner Sunkel Encouragement Award to Dr. Wolfgang Fiedler (center) by DOG President Dr. Dorit Visbeck-Liebers (right) and Dr. Nina Seifert, laudator and secretary of the DOG (left).
His more than 200 scientific publications range from the evolutionary and physiological foundations of bird migration to migration phenology and climate change, and on to current issues in nature conservation and species protection. His research combines fundamental scientific questions with concrete applications for the protection of migratory bird species.
Wolfgang Fiedler has also made outstanding contributions to the advancement of bird banding. Under his leadership, the Radolfzell Banding Center has evolved into an internationally networked hub for modern animal tagging and movement research. In this work, collaboration with volunteer banders has always been a central priority for him. He has provided professional guidance, training, and support to numerous young scientists as well as generations of dedicated field ornithologists.
Furthermore, Wolfgang Fiedler has played a key role in shaping international collaboration in ornithology over many years—including as Secretary General and later Chair of EURING, as Secretary of the European Ornithologists’ Union, as a member of the committee of the International Ornithologists’ Conference, and as Secretary General and President of the German Ornithological Society.
Through his scientific work, his commitment to bird banding, and his ability to combine research, nature conservation, and volunteer work, Wolfgang Fiedler embodies in a special way the guiding principle of the Werner Sunkel Foundation: “Working in a small space with a broad perspective.”
The German Ornithological Society thanks him for his extraordinary scientific achievements and his many years of dedication to the study and protection of migratory bird species.
Mainz, September 17, 2026
Awarded by the
German Ornithological Society (Deutsche Ornithologische Gesellschaft e.V.
) at its 159th Annual Meeting
Dr. Dorit Visbeck-Liebers
President
Prof. Dr. Heiko Schmaljohann
, Vice President
