Common bird index (15.60)

The indicator shows the abundance and diversity of a selection of common bird species and is presented as Index 2000 = 100 with tempered values. Three groups of bird species are represented:

1. Common farmland species.
2. Common forest species.
3. All common bird species which include crop and forest species.

The species included in the indexes of common farmland species and common forest species are considered dependent on these types of habitats, in particular with regard to feeding and nesting.

Rare species are excluded, although some species common in certain Member States may be considered rare in others.

The European indexes are calculated upon the basis of data produced by the European Bird Census Council (EBCC) and its Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme, which brings together data from national bird monitoring schemes in the member states. Specifically, they include 39 species common to agricultural environments, 34 species common to forest environments and 167 species of common birds.

Data coverage has increased from 9 to 22 EU Member States over the period 1990 to 2010, with 25 countries covered as of the reference year 2011. This number of participating countries includes the United Kingdom even though United Kingdom data have been removed from the EU-27 aggregate.

The indexes for Catalonia are calculated upon the basis of the data of the Project for the monitoring of common birds in Catalonia (SOCC), promoted by the Catalan Institute of Ornithology and the Ministry of Territory and Sustainability of the Generalitat de Catalunya and includes 42 common species from agricultural environments, 26 common species from forest environments and 155 common bird species.