13 gram bird travel thousands of kilometres to winter in Malta

[Donna]

Thursday, 26 November 2009
A Robin, ringed in Russia and weighing just a few grams, traveled over 2200 km to spend the winter in Malta. The bird was caught by BirdLife Malta ringers participating in international ringing studies. Photo by Denis Cachia.

A Robin (Pitirross) from Russia has travelled over 2000 kilometres while another Robin from the Czech Republic flew over 1100 kilometres to Malta, where a large population of these birds spend the winter months.

The Maltese bird ringers, who are part of BirdLife Malta’s scientific ringing scheme, identified the two Robins, which weigh only 13 grams, from the uniquely numbered rings that were attached to their legs.  After getting in touch with the Czech ringing association, BirdLife Malta found out that the Czech bird was ringed 27 days before it was caught in Malta, after travelling at least 1110 kilometres. The Robin from Russia was ringed 42 days before it was caught in Malta and travelled over 2200 kilometres.  After the rings were read, and scientific measurements taken, the birds were immediately released back into the wild.

“This is an amazing feat for a 13 gram bird that must face the full power of the elements on an exhausting migratory journey.� said Mark Gauci, Head of BirdLife Malta’s Ringing Scheme.

“These scientific records show once again the importance of Malta as one of the main migration routes taken by various bird species. It also highlights the importance of the island as a wintering ground for these species.�

Ringing is the scientific study of birds involving fitting birds with a uniquely marked ring. Details of the bird are then put into an international database to facilitate sharing of data at an international level by the various ringing organizations in the birds range. Ringing efforts in Europe are coordinated by The European Union for Bird Ringing (EURING). BirdLife Malta is the EURING recognized national organisation responsible for ringing studies in Malta. 

Europe’s birds breed during the spring period, when food is abundant and the weather hospitable, leaving Europe and travelling to their wintering grounds in autumn as food supplies dry up and the weather worsens. While most of Europe’s birds over winter in Africa, many also over winter in the southern Mediterranean including the Maltese islands.