FICEDULA – Associazione per lo studio e la conservazione degli uccelli della Svizzera italiana

Welcome to Ficedula!

Research, study, and conservation of birdlife and nature in Italian-speaking Switzerland.

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Birdwatching Meetings

Every two weeks, on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m., Ficedula hosts a series of online ornithology sessions, which are open only to association members and last about an hour.

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A new magazine is coming soon

We are putting the finishing touches on the next issue of our magazine. It is a special issue dedicated to the conservation project—carried out in collaboration with BirdLife Switzerland over the past 20 years—that has focused on species found in traditional agricultural areas, including the hoopoe, little owl, scops owl, nightjar, wild turtle dove, and black-headed bunting.

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BirdRadar Project

The Bolle di Magadino Foundation and Ficedula have installed a state-of-the-art BirdRadar to study bird migration through the Ticino region. Operating day and night, this device will help us understand how birds move throughout the year and at what altitudes.

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About Us

Ficedula is the only association dedicated to the study and conservation of birds in Italian-speaking Switzerland.

Ficedula is named after a beautiful, very rare, and endangered species that nests only in Italian-speaking Switzerland: the Collared Flycatcher, whose scientific name is Ficedula albicollis.

The Association promotes the study of birds with the goal of laying the groundwork for the conservation of bird species and their habitats. It regularly organizes introductory courses in ornithology, study days focused on the birds of Ticino, and numerous field trips.

It is committed to habitat protection and environmental education. Together with BirdLife Switzerland, it is involved in a conservation project for the Little Owl, Hoopoe, Wild Turtle Dove, Scops Owl, Nightjar, and other priority species.

Among the other projects Ficedula is involved in are initiatives to support the Eurasian eagle-owl, swifts, kingfishers, and urban biodiversity.

Ficedula is a scientific association and is part of the Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences, Ornithology Working Group.

Our Projects

Learn about some of the projects through which Ficedula protects birds and their habitats in Italian-speaking Switzerland.

Collared Balia

The project dedicated to our association’s symbolic species.

Swallow

A research and conservation project dedicated to the species that symbolizes spring and the deep connection between humans and nature.

Owl

Learn about the project through which we saved the Ticino owls from extinction.

Assiolo

Pascoli’s famous “Chiù” is also found in Italian-speaking Switzerland.

Balestruccio

Find out how the Pied Flycatcher is helping the House Martin, which is increasingly threatened in the cities of Italian-speaking Switzerland.

Birdlife of Dötra

The Dötra area in the Blenio Valley is a priority area for the conservation of Alpine birdlife.

Gipeto

Ficedula is responsible for monitoring and conserving the bearded vulture.

Look at YOURSELF

The new web app for learning to identify birds.

Excursions and Activities

Ficedula regularly organizes field trips, bird-watching courses, and other activities.

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Sign up for the newsletter

Sign up for the Ficedula.ch newsletter and stay up to date on what’s happening in the world of birds: local news, projects, events, interesting facts, and practical tips.