1. BARCELONA
BIRDS’ PROJECTS
FEDAC
Sant Andreu
BARCELONA

2. BARCELONA
PROJECTS
CONTENTS
1. Zoo’s ringing
programme
2.Swallows
project
3. Peregrin
falcon

3. The zoo’s ringing programme
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.

4. What is the purpouse of bird
ringing?
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.

5. How is bird ringing done?
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.

6. The zoo’s ringing programme:
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.

7. Examples:
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 70s
to 500 today.

8. 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

9. Delichon urbica
BLACK
PLUMAGE SMALL
AND
BLACK
WHITE
WHITE RUMP
COVERED
LOW-CUT AND WITH
BLACK- BROWN WHITE
TAIL. FEATHERS

10. Delichon urbica
• Is it migratory? Yes it is
• English Name: Swallow • When we see it in
• Catalan name: Oreneta Barcelona? In March, April,
Cuablanca May, June, July and August.
• English Name: House Martin • Catalan population: 137 129-
• Longevity: 7,9 204 510 couples.
• Diet: Insects • European Population:
16 000 000- 36 000 000
couples.

11. PEREGRIN FALCON IN BARCELONA

12. 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.

13. TABLE
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 pairs

14. TABLE
REPRODUCTIVE Courtship: between January and February
BEHAVIOUR: Mating between February and March
Egg laid and incubation: end of February until early April
Young birds remain in the nest until early June
Young birds remain in the territory of adults to end of December
Nest: 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 days
Period in the nest: 35 to 40 days
Dependency on parents once outside the nest: 35 to 40 days
HUNTING hunts exclusively on the wing. Plunges down on quarry from a great height, or
TECHNIQUES : 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.