Counting Birds

Method categorization
Quantitative	Qualitative
Inductive	Deductive
Individual	System	Global
Past	Present	Future

In short: Territory mapping, point counts and line transects are key methods for counting birds. They are suitable for many different groups and species of birds. Additional methods can be found in Sutherland (1996).

Table 1. The use of the methods territory mapping, point counts and line transects for different groups of birds (modified after Sutherland 1996). These methods were selected because they can be applied to most bird species.

• =method usually applicable , +=method often applicable.

	Territory Mapping	Line transects	Point counts
Waterbirds	+	+	+
Seabirds		*	+
Wading birds	+	+
Raptors	+	+
Gamebirds	+	+
Near passerines	+	+	+
Passerines	*	*	+

The author of this entry is Anna-Lena Rau.

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