149
1. Introduction
The first records on birds in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
(BiH) can be found in travel books edited during the 
mid−19th century. Expeditions organized by German 
and Austrian museums, aimed at collecting biological 
materials, collected specimens of birds hunted in BiH. 
Organized investigations started with the foundation 
of the National Museum of BiH, in 1888, and were 
connected to the name of Otmar Reiser, the founder 
of ornithology in BiH (Obratil 1980, Kotro{an 
2002). In the period that followed, the development 
of ornithology was limited by political, economical 
and social factors, and this situation was reflected 
in the development of organized movements for the 
protection of habitats and bird population. The same 
situation may pertain today. In spite of the rather 
long history of ornithology, BiH still represents “terra 
incognita” for those interested in the field. Numerous 
serious consequences resulted, for example, in the 
appearance of incorrect data on birds and their 
habitats in BiH, in the ”Bird check list of the World, 
Bosnia and Herzegovina” (Lepage 2004). Also, the 
expected cooperation and support in the development 
of programs for nature and bird protection by 
international and specialist European associations, 
which could improve the situation, are lacking. 
2. Ornithology in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The first reliable information on BiH birds is 
published in the works of Dombrowski, Kadisha, Platz 
and others, during the 1880s. But the foundation of 
the National Museum of BiH was the precondition 
for establishing a research centre for ornithological 
investigation in BiH (Obratil 1980). Up to now two 
main periods of centre activities could be recognized. 
The first one, from 1888 up to 1920, was marked by 
the work of Otmar Reiser in the area of fauna and 
taxonomy. An all-inclusive review of his research 
was presented in the first, and the only, monograph 
on BiH avifauna (Reiser 1939). The second period, 
1964 – 1992, was connected to the work of Svjetoslav 
Obratil dedicated to fauna and bird ecology. Special 
significance is attached to the work done in the areas 
of Hutovo blato and Barda~a, which present the first 
systematic investigations of these very important bird 
areas. Together with Obratil, a few researchers from 
Serbia and Croatia contributed significantly to the 
recognition of BiH avifauna, especially Dragutin 
Rucner with his work in the delta area of the river 
Neretva (Kotro{an & Papes unpubl.). 
Between these two periods very little was published 
about birds in BiH, as well as in the period after 
1992. Of course, the war and post-war period did not 
favour bird investigations. The mine fields, and lack 
of material and human resources contributed to the 
very slow recovery of these activities. But it is worth 
underlining that the National Museum of BiH has 
been the only institution that employed ornithologists 
throughout the whole period.
It is also important to note that Branislav Ga{i}, 
curator of the Museum of the Republic of Srpska 
in Banja Luka, is engaged in ornithology and some 
results can be expected. But in general, from 1995 till 
2004, very few publications appeared (Ga{i} 2001, 
Mulaomerovi} et al. 2002, Rubini~ 2002a, b, c, d 
& e, Surina 2002 a & b, [tumberger 2002 a & b). 
Some efforts have been made by NGOs, especially in 
monitoring, numbering and surveying some species. 
The foundation of the NGO “Na{e ptice” (“Our 
birds”), which is aimed at developing bird research, is 
welcome (Kotro{an 2003).
Ornithology and bird protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 
situation and perspectives
Ornitologija in varstvo ptic v Bosni in Hercegovini: razmere in perspektive
Dra`en Kotro{an1, Jasminko Mulaomerovi}2 & Adi Habul2
 1 Zemaljski muzej Bosne i Hercegovine, Zmaja od Bosne 3, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
  e-mail: kotrosan@bih.net.ba
2 Ornitolo{ko dru{tvo «Na{e ptice», Semira Fra{te 6, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
 e-mail: naseptice@hotmail. com
Kongres ornitologov Slovenije ob 25. obletnici DOPPS
Slovene Ornithologists’ Congress at the 25th anniversary of DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia
Acrocephalus 25 (122): 149 – 152, 2004
150
2.1. Inventory
The first, all-inclusive review on avifauna in BiH was 
prepared by Reiser (1939). A more detailed review, 
which included Reiser’s results as well as those of 
other ornithologists during 1888 – 1920, was made 
by Obratil (1980) in his six papers published in the 
period 1967 – 1977.
Two inventories of BiH avifauna have been made 
by Matvejev & Vasi} (1973) and Obratil (1980). 
The latter listed 315 species. According to Matvejev 
& Vasi} (1973) 218 species were recorded as nesting. 
Comparison of the two lists showed highly significant 
differences. For example Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 
was on the list in 1973 as a breeding bird (nesting 
was notified in Neum), but not on the second list. 
The list published by Lepage (2004), which includes 
318 – 319 bird species, should also be mentioned. In 
all these lists, probably based on the 1973 inventory, 
some species are missing that have been recorded in 
BiH, such as Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 
and Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis, while some 
others as Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes 
that is listed by mistake and Bewick’s Swan Cygnus 
columbianus, never notified in BiH, are on the list. 
Generally, it could be concluded that there is no list 
that can be authorized. 
All this led to the preparation of the new, revised 
systematic list of BiH avifauna, based on inventories in 
the 19th and 20th centuries. According to the new list, 
322 bird species were registered in BiH (Kotro{an 
& Papes unpubl.). Also, having in mind identified 
changes, it will be necessary to prepare a new atlas 
of breeding birds. Even Obratil & Matvejev (1989) 
stated 15 breeding bird species that have become 
extinct. Some new preliminary investigations have 
confirmed this increasing trend.
2.2. Collections
The National Museum of BiH possesses the largest 
bird collection in the country. It consists of 9528 
specimens from 350 species, of which 4783 (305 
species) originate from BiH. Besides this collection, 
the Museum possesses collections of eggs (5000) and 
nests (55), again mainly from BiH. These collections 
form the basis for scientific research in the areas of 
fauna, taxonomy, biogeography and ecology. Up to 
now they are used mainly for research in the field of 
bird fauna and ecology. Very limited investigations have 
been made in taxonomy (Kotro{an & Lelo 2002).
Less rich but important collections are found in the 
museums in Banja Luka, Travnik and Tuzla. The only 
published catalogue belongs to the Museum of the 
Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka (Ga{i} 1999). 
There is no evidence concerning private collections 
or collections of hunter associations.
3. Bird protection
The first sign of decrease of bird populations in BiH 
was observed in the first decade of the 19th century 
(Bre`an~i} 1984). It is known that the population 
of breeding Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus 
population in BiH had expired by the middle of 19th 
century (Obratil & Matvejev 1989).
Up to 1992 bird protection was defined by the 
“Law on nature protection”. Under this law 252 bird 
species are protected. In 1954 the reserve Hutovo blato 
was put under protection and in 1969 the colony of 
water birds at Barda~a, also. All the legislatives were 
in accordance with the International Conventions 
for bird protection and the protection of wetlands 
(La Convention de Ramsar, La Convention de Paris), 
ratified by ex-Yugoslavia. But in spite of the legislatives, 
protection of bird species and their habitats was at a 
low level and without adequate control (Bre`an~i} 
1984).
After independence and signing of the Dayton 
Agreement the State of BiH realised the obligation 
to obey international conventions on environmental 
protection. But still BiH has not ratified any 
convention on bird protection or their habitats. Even, 
it is better to say that bird protection does not exist 
officially in BiH. The situation with regard to once 
protected areas, such as Hutovo blato and Barda~a, 
is also unsatisfactory. The special focus is on illegal 
hunting and illegal trade of threatened and rare species 
(Panjeta 2003).
It is important to emphasize that BiH still has no 
“Red data book”. The only suggestion on categorization 
of the threat to birds was made by Obratil & Matvejev 
(1989). Their dossier included 97 species that belong 
to different levels or categories of threat. Of course war 
activities (1992 – 1995) as well as poisoning, notified 
in the last 15 years, caused drastic changes in numbers 
of some endangered species, which influenced the 
threat category for some of them. The best example 
is the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus designated as V 
– vulnerable, which is nowadays totally extinct and 
needs to be designated as Ex – extinct. According to 
the preliminary investigation (B. Ga{i} pers. comm.) 
a similar situation can be expected with some other 
birds of prey. Further, the dossier was based mainly on 
species distribution, less on the numbers that need to be 
revised. In short, BiH has to get a “Red data book”.
D. Kotro{an et al.: Ornithology and bird protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina: situation and perspectives
151
3.1. IBAs
The special topics, when the bird protection in BiH 
is in focus, belong to the Internationally Important 
Bird Areas – IBAs. Namely, three areas in BiH are 
marked as IBAs (Grimmett & Jones 1989): Hutovo 
blato, Barda~a and Bora~ko Lake. The accepted 
categorization needs to be discussed again knowing 
the levels of investigations. It is not clear why Lake 
Bora~ko belongs to the same group with Hutovo blato 
and Barda~a. Its area is not systematically explored. 
For avifauna there are some old and a few, manly 
insufficient data. The only systematic exploration of 
avifauna of Barda~a was done in the period 1970 – 
1983. New data are based on short visits (1 to 2 days). 
In the last 2 – 3 years indications of drastic changes 
are recorded. Up to now only Hutovo blato is the 
area that is systematically explored. Even in the last 
period (Obratil 2001) there are data, which indicate 
changes, mainly decrease of bird populations. 
However, some other areas in BiH could probably 
fulfill the criterions for IBAs, as Livanjsko polje or 
the Park of nature Blidinje. Consequently it is really 
urgent to revise IBAs program in BiH and include 
other potential important areas. 
At the end, there are needs to emphasize that birds 
investigation in BiH are based on recording of bird 
species, very rare on population and numbering.
4. Discussion
The history of avifauna in BiH shows very close 
connection between research, scientific exploration 
and protection of birds and their habitats. In spite the 
fact that BiH ornithology was relied on the work of 
only one person, there was very limited number of 
ornithologists, the fauna of birds in BiH is studied 
on the rather high level, on special aspects of fauna 
and ecology (area and space distribution). However, 
quantitative data are missing. That influenced the 
categorization of threatened species: some species just 
missed from the list of endangered birds. This fact for 
sure, shapes actual relation to the bird protection, if any.
In the post war period the development of 
ornithology was very limited by lacking of human and 
material resources. There are three active ornithologists, 
who could shape the efforts of a few bird observers 
whose work was uncoordinated. It is also important 
to emphasize foundation of the first ornithology 
association in BiH, as much as the fact that we posses 
potentials, e.g. museums and other collections, which 
are making develop of different areas in ornithology 
possible. Ornithology development, with the stress on 
monitoring and census projects, will make adequate 
access to the bird conservation. Passing a law entries 
and signing the internationally conventions are 
the first prerequisite for the bird protection and 
protection of their habitats. It is necessary to stress a 
need for improvement of BiH institutions as National 
museum of BiH, and other NGOs which are trying to 
solve problems connected with ornithology in BiH. 
Because of that, help and cooperation of institutes 
and organizations from a broad is very important and 
helpful. 
Summary
In the paper, the base information about ornithology 
in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is carried out, 
the level of avifauna knowledge in BiH, potentials 
and current conditions about protection of birds 
and their habitats in BiH. In spite of difficulties the 
ornithologists, especially after the last war, succeeded 
to carry on long tradition of ornithology in BiH. One 
of the most important things is that numbers of new 
ornithologist and bird observers is increasing. Besides 
the National museum in BiH, big role in affirmation 
of ornithology in BiH has NGO “Na{e ptice”. 
Unfortunately, BiH economic and politic situation is 
not good, so it makes impossible to run any bigger 
scientific project. This situation has negative effects 
on protection of birds and their habitats. After all, 
this situation is result of the fact that BiH did not 
sign even one international agreement about bird 
protection. The main goal is to deal these problems 
and for that the help and improvement of connections 
with another organizations and institutes from other 
countries is needed.    
 
Povzetek
V ~lanku so predstavljeni osnovni podatki o ornitologiji 
v Bosni in Hercegovini (BiH), raven avifavnisti~nega 
znanja ter potenciali in trenutne razmere glede varstva 
ptic in njihovih habitatov v dr`avi. Ornitologom se 
je kljub mnogim te`avam, posebno po zadnji vojni, 
posre~ilo nadaljevati dolgoletno ornitolo{ko tradicijo 
v BiH, pri ~emer je {e posebej pomembno, da {tevilo 
novih ornitologov in opazovalcev ptic nenehno nara{~a. 
Pomembno vlogo pri uveljavljanju ornotologije igra 
poleg Narodnega muzeja nevladna organizacija “Na{e 
ptice”. @al pa je ekonomski in politi~ni polo`aj v dr`avi 
trenutno tako slab, da ni mogo~e izpeljati niti enega 
ve~jega znanstvenega projekta, kar seveda ni dobro za 
varstvo ptic in njihovih habitatov v BiH. Navsezadnje je 
tak{no stanje posledica dejstva, da dr`ava ni podpisala 
Acrocephalus 25 (122): 149 – 152, 2004
152
nobenega mednarodnega sporazuma o varstvu ptic. 
Poglavitni cilj je zatorej spopasti se s temi problemi, za 
kar pa v BiH potrebujejo pomo~ in bolj{e povezave z 
organizacijami in in{titucijami iz drugih dr`av.
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Arrived / Prispelo: 28.9.2004
Accepted / Sprejeto: 7.3.2005 
 
 
D. Kotro{an et al.: Ornithology and bird protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina: situation and perspectives