Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II had accurately observed bird migration in the 1200s, but his findings were not widely accepted in Europe for centuries. An avid falconer and early ornithologist, Frederick compiled his extensive knowledge in "De Arte Venandi cum Avibus" (On The Art of Hunting with Birds), which included detailed observations on bird migration.
Frederick's work highlighted that birds migrate twice a year, moving from cold to warm climates and back. He explained that not all birds migrate, with some making shorter, local movements instead. Reasons for migration included escaping the cold, seeking food, avoiding frozen habitats, and predatory birds following their prey. Frederick drew on Arabic sources and Aristotle's work, correcting and expanding upon Aristotle's theories with his practical observations. For example, he noted that leadership in migrating bird formations is cyclical, unlike Aristotle's claim of a single leader. Despite the accuracy of his work, it took over 400 years for migration theory to be revisited by scientists.
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