Effectiveness of the use of patagial wing tags for griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Spain

We describe the design of patagial wing tags with highly durable lateral readings for marking and tracking griffon vultures Gyps fulvus. Acclimatized birds were tagged within Projecte Canyet for the recovery of the griffon vulture as a nesting species in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park (Valencia Region). A total of 193 vultures were tagged at the sampling point between 2000 and 2015. Forty-three individuals were recaptured within an average of 1,362 days (SD ± 543.78). Half the sample of captured individuals was weighed (n = 20) and the average was 9.11 kg (SD ± 1.14). The area of the scarred perforations was measured, and the mean perforation size was 85.38 mm² (SD ± 28.61). Wing tags provided highly satisfactory results and enabled a deeper understanding of the patterns of interspecific behaviour and nomadic movements. The design of the tags was satisfactory because it facilitated identification of individuals at a distance. The negative impact on individuals was low and the device did not interfere in the vital life stages of the species. We suggest the model could be useful for other bird species if adapted to size.