The partridge, voted Bird of the Year 2026, is on the verge of extinction in Saxony. This was reported by Robert Beske, spokesman for the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) in Saxony. According to Beske, the partridge population in the state is in a "catastrophic state".
While there were still 3,000 to 5,000 breeding pairs of the species between 1978 and 1982, there are now only a few individuals left in the state. Between 2004 and 2007, the population had already declined to between 200 and 400 pairs, according to figures from "Breeding Birds in Saxony".
According to NABU Germany, the main reason for the partridge's endangerment is intensive farming with the heavy use of pesticides. According to Beske, the partridge is mainly struggling with insect depletion. As a ground-nesting bird, it also lacks fallow land, field margins and field hedges.
The bird of the year has been chosen in Germany since 1971, and has been a public vote since 2021. In 2024, the lapwing was chosen, in 2025 the black redstart is Bird of the Year.
