zum Hauptinhalt wechseln zum Hauptmenü wechseln zum Fußbereich wechseln Universität Bielefeld Play Search
  • Animal Behaviour

    © Universität Bielefeld

Research topics & objectives

We study animal behaviour within the framework of the four questions of Tinbergen, both in the lab and in the field.

With a team of over 50 people, the different research groups study animal behaviour within the framework of the four questions of Tinbergen, both in the lab and in the field. Current model systems include laboratory studies on zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) and cavies (Cavia aperea), as well as long-term field studies on birds of prey such as common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), and seal species such as Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) and Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella). Read more


The Department of Animal Behaviour at Bielefeld University was the first of its kind within any German University when it was founded on the 1st of November 1973. Under the leadership of Klaus Immelmann, the department quickly became a leading centre of behavioural research, both nationally as well as internationally. Initial research questions focussed on classical ethological and neuroethological questions such as sexual imprinting and animal navigation.

When Fritz Trillmich became the new head of department in 1990, the emerging field of behavioural ecology became the main research topic. After almost 25 years under his leadership, Oliver Krüger took over as head of department on 1st of August 2013. Behavioural ecology will remain the central research topic of the department.

Group picture
© Universität Bielefeld

Combining individual life histories with experiments, comparative approaches and population-level data, our research evaluates the fitness value of behaviour but also tries to understand the mechanisms by which behavioural variation evolves.


[Hier Anpassungen einfügen]

"Start-Paket"

-> Überschriften: Umbruch in diversen Überschriften verhindern. -> Ohne ANpassung: Überschriften werden, wie normaler Text, umgebrochen.
-> Seitliche Navigation: Die Section Content "[Hier Anpassungen einfügen]" wird normalerweise in der Navigation angezeigt. Diese Anpassung entfernt den Link. -> Ohne Anpassung: Anpassung-Section wird in der Navigation angezeigt.
-> Rahmenfarbe von Tab-Gruppen in Fakultätsgrün umstellen. -> Ohne Anpassung: Farben sind manchmal Uni-Grün.
-> Alle <section>-Elemente auf 100% Breite setzen und anzeigen.
-> Alle Links schwarz
-> Textboxen innerhalb von Groups auf 100% Breite [Portal-Page] -> Groups auf 100% Breite [Portal-Page]


Zum Seitenanfang