Zagreb,
22 December 2010 - Together with the Croatian Natural
History Museum, the Zagreb Ringing Centre - situated at
the Institute of Ornithology (Croatian
Academy of Sciences and Arts) - is celebrating
100 years of scientific bird ringing in 2011. To mark this
special anniversary, the two institutions have mounted
a striking exhibition entitled "Flyers of the big
sky - 100 years of bird ringing in Croatia".

Over the past one hundred years, more than one million birds have been ringed in Croatia. Analysing ring recovery data has helped tremendously towards a better understanding of the significance of Croatia for global flyways.

The exhibition is particularly aimed at schoolchildren. It offers answers to questions such as: What is a bird? How do birds fly? Why do some birds migrate and others not? What is the purpose of bird ringing? What are the threats faced by birds during migration?

The exhibition illustrates the complexity of bird migration,
giving an insight into, among many other things, feather structure and wing
morphology, the history of bird ringing and new marking techniques, global
flyways and human threats to migratory birds. Exploring the exhibition, visitors
can admire a selection of colourful feather displays, study global migratory
flyways, touch a mist-net hidden in reed and observe a formation of ducks emerging
above their heads and crossing electric wires.  Visitors can also watch
a Croatian-language film about AEWA and learn about different migratory strategies
as well as the importance of coordinated international efforts in conserving
migratory birds. In addition, the exhibition encourages schools to join this
year's World Migratory Bird Day celebrations. The AEWA Secretariat
is supporting the exhibition by contributing the AEWA film as well as posters,
stickers and other information material. 

The exhibition will be on show throughout 2011. For more information please contact:

Institute of Ornithology

Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts

Gunduliceva 24

HR-10000 Zagreb, CROATIA

phone: +385 1 4825 401

fax: +385 1 4825 392