Max-Planck-Institut für Ornithologie

The Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (MPIO) was founded by resolution of the Senate on November 14, 1997, initially as an independent Max Planck Research Center, which was renamed the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology by resolution of March 19, 2004. It has its headquarters in Seewiesen, which belongs to the municipality of Pöcking in Upper Bavaria. With the Radolfzell Ornithological Institute, a sub-institute of the MPIO is located in Radolfzell on Lake Constance. The institute consists of four departments and several independent research groups, which deal with various ornithological issues and bring together numerous biological disciplines. Manfred Gahr and Bart Kempenaers conduct research with their departments in Seewiesen. Martin Wikelski and Iain Couzin are directors in Radolfzell and Constance and both hold chairs at the University of Constance. More than 220 employees work and conduct research at the entire institute. The MPIO maintains close cooperation with a number of international institutes with similar research focuses.