BARCELONA BIRDS’ PROJECTS

FEDAC Sant Andreu

BARCELONA

BARCELONA PROJECTS

CONTENTS1. Zoo’s ringing programme2.Swallows project3. Peregrin falcon

The ringing of birds is a tool to study them. It is based on maroking each animal individually. Every ring has a unique code, so the bird can be easily identified.

The zoo’s ringing programme

Bird ringing allows us to obtain information about different aspects of a bird’s life which are of vital importance for their conservation:• Migratory behaviour: where they go, which route they take, which

habitats they use during migration and how they use them.• Demography. Questions such as: What is there live span? What is

their reproductive success rate?, or what is the population of a particular species? All these questions can often only be answered thanks to ringing.

• Phenology: Ringing provides us with information about the life cycle of birds, their moulting periods and locations and their migrating patterns.

What is the purpouse of bird ringing?

Birds can either be captured from their nests or by using harmless methods such as japanese mist nets.Once a bird has a been captured, a light metal ring is put on its leg, several different biometrical measurements are taken and it is released back into the wild as quickly as possible.A “ringing license” or special permission is required in order to carry out bird ringing.

How is bird ringing done?

The zoo has set up a ringing programme in order to share with the visitors this scientific method and to offer them the opportunity to understand and collaborate in the research.

The zoo’s ringing programme:

YELLOW- LEGGED GULL:• It has adapted very well to live in Barcelona.• It uses the roofs of houses to make their nests.• The birds even eat pigeons.

GREY HERONS (ARDEA CINEREA)• It is a migratory species which breeds in colonies.• The colony at Barcelona’s zoo, (130 nests), is today the second largest in Catalonia and the

largest urban colony in Europe. • It is of great interest , therefore, to be able to ring all the chicks which are born here.

BLACK- HEADED GULL ( LARUS RIDIBUNDUS):• The number of Black- headed gulls that come

to spend the winter at Barcelona’s zoo has decreased from approximately 4000 in the 70sto 500 today.

Examples:

Swallows project

Swallows Project is a study of the House Martin bird. They situate there nests around the city. Everybody can participate.

House Martin Nest

Delichon urbica

LOW-CUT AND BLACK- BROWN TAIL.

BLACK PLUMAGE

WHITE

COVERED WITH WHITE FEATHERS

SMALL AND BLACK

WHITE RUMP

Delichon urbica

• English Name: Swallow• Catalan name: Oreneta

Cuablanca• English Name: House Martin• Longevity: 7,9• Diet: Insects

• Is it migratory? Yes it is • When we see it in

Barcelona? In March, April, May, June, July and August.

• Catalan population: 137 129-204 510 couples.

• European Population: 16 000 000- 36 000 000 couples.

PEREGRIN FALCON IN BARCELONA

The project seeks to restore peregrine falcons, extint bird in Barcelona. The biologists do this by using the "hacking." It means: falcon chicks raised in captivity, but at the same time preparing them to become independent. The reintroduction has been made in some Barcelona districts. From 2003 to 2011, 57 falcons were born. This project has been performed in the U.S.A., Canada and some European countries.

PEREGRIN FALCON IN BARCELONA

Common name Peregrine Falcon

Scientific Name Falco peregrinus

Size Female: 45-50cm Male: 35-40cm

HABITAT The Peregrine lives in all type of open habitats (gorges, wetlands, ravines, cereal plains,...) providing there are vertical structures in which to nest, such as cliffs, high

buildings or quarries

DIET Feeds exclusively on birds. Prey varies in function of the Peregrine's distribution, though they are predominately

medium-sized. 

LONGEVITY Maximum registered 6 years in the wild and 19 years in captivity.

DISTRIBUTION World distribution: in all continents except Antarctica. Not found in the Amazonian and Orinoco jungles or other places in the world with extreme climates.

Estimated Catalan population: approximately 245-253 pairs Estimated European population: 7,600-11,000 pairsEstimated world population: more than 20,000 pairs

MIGRATION AND SEASONAL MOVEMENTS

The Northern and Central European populations migrate in winter to more southerly latitudes. The populations in Catalonia are highly sedentary though those living in higher areas (the Pyrenees, for example) migrate in winter to lower-lying areas.

TABLE

REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR:

Courtship: between January and FebruaryMating between February and MarchEgg laid and incubation: end of February until early AprilYoung birds remain in the nest until early June Young birds remain in the territory of adults to end of DecemberNest: does not really build nest, but rather makes use of ledges in crags or buildings to lay its eggs. Does not bring any material to the "nest", though may, if possible, dig out a small depression with its talons.

Incubation: done chiefly by the female which is helped by the male when she needs to feed or preen herself.

Feeding the chicks: both parents hunt but the female does most of feeding.

Clutch size: 1 to 5 eggs, normally 3 Incubation time: 28 to 30 daysPeriod in the nest: 35 to 40 daysDependency on parents once outside the nest: 35 to 40 days

HUNTING TECHNIQUES :

hunts exclusively on the wing. Plunges down on quarry from a great height, or pursues bird in flapping flight.

LEGAL ESTATUS: The Peregrine Falcon is protected at an international level: by Catalan, Spanish State and European legislation and by world agreements.

TABLE