Using large-scale citizen science ringing data as a means of calculating maximum longevity in birds

Authors

  • Dane Paijmans University of Cape Town
  • Sanjo Rose University of Cape Town
  • Hans-Dieter Oschadleus University of KwaZulu-Natal

Keywords:

SAFRING, banding, Passeriformes, Passerine, senescence, lifespan, age

Abstract

This article calculates estimates of avian longevity for southern African Passeriformes and demonstrates the impact citizen scientists have on data volumes curated by the South African Bird Ringing Unit (SAFRING). We calculated taxon-specific longevity records for 341 species from 33 families using ringing data collected between 1948 and 2017. An increase in active ringer participation over time correlated positively with an increase in retrap and recovery data, allowing for more reliable longevity calculations. These results highlight the significant contribution citizen scientists have made to bird ringing in southern Africa and identify data-deficient taxa to which future ringing activities should be targeted.

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Author Biographies

Dane Paijmans, University of Cape Town

FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

Sanjo Rose, University of Cape Town

FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Hans-Dieter Oschadleus, University of KwaZulu-Natal

School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

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Published

2019-10-17

How to Cite

Paijmans, D., Rose, S., & Oschadleus, H.-D. (2019). Using large-scale citizen science ringing data as a means of calculating maximum longevity in birds. Bothalia, African Biodiversity & Conservation, 49(1). Retrieved from https://abcjournal.org/index.php/BothaliaABC/article/view/6