Department of Avian Ecology

Head

RNDr. Petr Procházka, Ph.D.  <prochazkaivb.cz> - behavioural ecology and migration of birds

Research scientists

doc. Mgr. Tomáš Albrecht, Ph.D.  <albrechtivb.cz> - evolutionary ecology, behavioural ecology, ecology of birds
Ing. Miroslav Čapek, CSc.  <capekivb.cz> - ecology and behaviour of birds, bird parasites
doc. Ing. Marcel Honza, Dr.  <honzabrno.cas.cz> - behavioural ecology

Post-docs

Mgr. Milica Požgayová, Ph.D.  <carringtonseznam.cz> - behavioural ecology
Ing. Martin Šálek, Ph.D.  <martin.salipost.cz> - ecology of birds and mammals

PhD students

Mgr. Marek Mihai Abraham  <gulolupisgmail.com>
Mgr. Václav Jelínek  <vasekjelinekgmail.com>

Undergraduates

Marie Adámková  <biologcentrum.cz>
Petra Baslerová  <357891mail.muni.cz>
Radovan Beňo  <Gibbon333seznam.cz>
Bc. Tereza Bolcková  <tereza.bolckovagmail.com>
Lucie Halová  <347591mail.muni.cz>
Bc. Klára Morongová  <k.morongovaseznam.cz>
Bc. Michal Šulc  <sulcik.lemurseznam.cz>

Research priorities

Our research focuses on understanding the ecological and evolutionary basis of avian reproductive strategies. Important goals of this research are to identify the ecological factors that promote parasitic reproductive behaviour, predator avoidance and nest predation. We conduct studies adopting the adaptationist and optimality approach of behavioural ecology to examine fitness costs and benefits of various characters in bird populations. Further, we aim at understanding the evolution and signalling function of secondary male ornaments in birds. Combining molecular, biogeochemical and conventional approaches we study migratory connectivity, its significance for population differentiation and fitness consequences of seasonal interactions in selected European passerines. Our current research also concentrates on patterns of singing activity in passerines and includes studies of parasites associated with birds.