Ferdinand Johann Adam von Pernau

Who was Ferdinand Johann Adam von Pernau?

Ferdinand Johann Adam von Pernau, Count of Rosenau was an Austrian ornithologist.

Ferdinand Pernau entered the University of Altdorf at age 16. He traveled for some time in Italy, France and the Netherlands, finally settling in Rosenau, near Coburg where he remained until his death. Fascinated by birds he built large aviaries where numerous species bred. Here he made observations of bird behavior and also he devised ways to tame birds and studied homing behaviour.

In 1702 he anonymously published a narrative of his experiments and 0bservations. The work entitled Unterricht was mit dem lieblichen Geschöpff, denen Vögeln, auch ausser dem Fang Nur durch die Ergründung Deren Eigenschafften und Zahmmachung oder ander Abrichtung Man sich vo Lust und Zeitvertreib machen könne : gestellt Durch den Hoch- und Wohlgebohrnen was popular and quickly reprinted in 1707 and 1716