The Catalan Ornithological Institute, (Institut Català d'Ornitologia, ICO) is a non-lucrative association devoted to the study of birds in Catalonia. Founded in 1975 as Grup Català d'Anellament, ICO has specialized in the development and coordination of large scale monitoring schemmes requiring the contribution of many ornithologists. The ICO also organises introductory and advanced courses to several fields in ornithology and runs the Catalan Ringing Schemme.