The Deutsche Ornithologische Gesellschaft is supporting five early-career scientists in attending the International Ornithological Congress (IOC), which takes place from 30 November to 5 December 2026 in Mérida, Mexico. All five recipients will receive a travel grant of €2,000 each and present their research at the congress. The five contributions show the great thematic breadth of current ornithological research:
Nicolas Ordax Sommer studies the movement ecology and habitat selection of vultures. The focus is on how predictable food sources influence the birds' spatial behaviour – a topic of direct relevance for the conservation of this group of species.
Giovanna Sandretti da Silva investigates the flight movements of young Northern Wheatears in the period between independence and the start of migration. In doing so, she focuses on a phase in the life of young migratory birds that has so far received comparatively little study.
Valentin Kiss analyses how heavy metal pollution relates to health and plumage traits in feral pigeons. His research thus combines questions of urban ecology with ecotoxicological approaches.
Veronika Samotskaya works on bioacoustic bird monitoring. She combines automated acoustic surveys with manual validation and independent bird counts, examining both the possibilities and limits of new methods for surveying bird communities.
Wieland Heim investigates the effects of pesticides on migratory birds. His contribution combines migration research and ecotoxicology and addresses a current issue in bird and nature conservation.
With its travel grants, the DOG particularly wants to help early-career scientists make their research internationally visible, establish new scientific contacts and exchange ideas with colleagues from all over the world. As one of the most important international meetings in ornithology, the International Ornithological Congress offers a special opportunity to do so.
After the congress, the five recipients will report on their research and their impressions of the IOC on the DOG website. We wish them exciting scientific encounters, lots of new inspiration and a good trip to Mexico!