Barbara Klump

Prof. Dr. Barbara Klump is a behavioral ecologist affiliated with the University of Vienna and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. Her research explores how ecology and social structure shape animal cognition, focusing on tool use, foraging traditions, and vocal convergence in corvids and parrots.

• PhD from University of St Andrews (2012–2016)
• Postdoctoral work at University of St Andrews (2016–2018) and Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (2016–2018)
• WWTF-funded research group leader at University of Vienna

Her work spans remote rainforests to urban environments, combining field observations with controlled experiments and advanced data analysis. Key interests include extractive foraging, social learning, and acoustic communication systems.

Current research emphasizes cognition and ecology in carrion crows, hooded crows, and sulphur-crested cockatoos. She has previously investigated tool-use behavior in tropical corvids and cost-mitigation strategies in foraging birds.

Scientific Awards:

• WWTF Vienna Research Group for Young Investigators

Barbara Klump's research integrates ecological fieldwork with experimental approaches, leveraging both wild and captive populations to uncover behavioral patterns. Her work contributes to understanding cognitive evolution in variable environments.