A comprehensive new guide to the Birds of Spain has expanded this year with the addition of 88 species not previously listed. Several factors drive this growth, including the increasing presence of species beyond traditional ranges caused by global warming.
The Spain Birds Guide is available as a web resource and in app formats for iOS and Android. According to a report from the Spanish Ornithological Association, the guide aims to improve and update knowledge for both professional ornithologists and bird enthusiasts in Spain, while also inviting newcomers to explore the fascinating world of birds. The resource is maintained by SEO BirdLife, an authority in ornithology and bird conservation.
Its design emphasizes intuitive use and provides extensive information to help users understand each group in depth. Readers can access details on distribution, status, biology, and phenology, and they can hear songs, view photos and videos, and study maps to recognize and enjoy birds from any location or field observation.
The guide bases its content on the latest Spanish Bird List for 2022. It includes cards for 632 bird species and covers all facets of Spanish bird life. The review and update have produced a refreshed guide that serves as a key reference for ornithologists and bird lovers, as stated by Ramón Martí, Director of Corporate Development at SEO BirdLife.
New additions
The update brings 88 species that are not present in the prior edition, with 18 regular and 70 occasional birds added. The emergence of these new entries stems from three main factors.
Taxonomic revision plays a role when known species are reevaluated, leading to reclassification of birds such as the Maghreb magpie, western warbler, western wheatear, and the Gran Canaria bluefinch.
In addition, new birds have appeared in Spain that were not observed previously. These include invasive exotic species such as the orange-faced and black-rumped estrildas.
Extreme weather brings new visitors
A third factor involves shifts in genera as climate conditions change. Droughts and rising temperatures have contributed to the appearance of species like the spotted vulture, the Moorish swallow, and the Moorish vulture in new areas.
As haze events become more frequent with enduring Sirocco winds, North African species such as the yellow-billed kite and the Abyssinian roller have extended their ranges toward the Canary Islands.
Finally, warmer seas and stronger storms influence migration, bringing Nearctic species to Spain. This shift has led to sightings of birds like the Pacific loon and the North American great tern in Spanish skies.
SEO BirdLife notes that a thorough taxonomic review has updated many families, with some birds changing families and the nomenclature of certain genera and species revised during the breeding season in Spain. Geographic distribution and population data have been refreshed, drawing on species monographs, the atlas, and census results to date, as explained by the organization.
The 2021 Red Book of Birds of Spain also informs the guide, updating conservation statuses, identifying main threats, and outlining protection measures where appropriate. Using data gathered in the Bird Atlas during Spain’s breeding season ensures pages reflect accurate and current information on breeding behavior.
The guide also highlights citizen science through bird monitoring programs as well as the working groups coordinated by SEO BirdLife, with hundreds of volunteers contributing to data collection.
A PlayStore download link was provided for the app at the time, indicating accessibility for Android users.
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Contact details for the environmental department were once listed, but they have been removed to maintain privacy and compliance with current publishing norms.