The Aranzadi bird Ringing Scheme data bank

Area of Science:

• Ornithology
• Biodiversity Science
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• The Aranzadi Ringing Scheme (ARS), established in 1949 by the Aranzadi Sciences Society, is Spain's official bird-ringing program.
• ARS data, spanning from 1950 to the present, is partially published on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
• Data digitalization is ongoing, with some records from before the 1970s still pending.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the comprehensive dataset of the Aranzadi Ringing Scheme.
• To highlight the scope and geographical coverage of bird ringing and recovery data.
• To provide a valuable resource for ornithological research and biodiversity monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Bird ringing activities conducted primarily in Spain and exceptionally in other countries.
• Collection of recovery data from birds bearing Aranzadi rings, potentially worldwide.
• Georeferencing of all ringing and recovery records for spatial analysis.

Main Results:

• The dataset contains 1.8 million records as of December 31, 2024, covering both ringings and recoveries.
• Records span from 1950 to the present, with ongoing digitalization efforts.
• Recoveries have been reported from all continents except Oceania and Antarctica, with over 90% of records within Europe.
• The dataset includes 479 taxa, comprising 430 species, subspecies, hybrids, and genus-level identifications across 24 orders.

Conclusions:

• The Aranzadi Ringing Scheme dataset is a significant, long-term resource for understanding bird distribution and migration patterns.
• The extensive georeferenced data supports global biodiversity assessments and conservation strategies.
• Continued data digitalization and expansion will further enhance the dataset's utility for scientific research.