The association specialises in the development and coordination of large-scale monitoring schemes requiring the contribution of many ornithologists.

[1] The association runs courses for a wide range of practical ornithological activities, including ringing.

In Catalonia, scientific bird ringing is regulated by the Minister of the Environment and Housing, which delegates the management and coordination to the ICO.

Published in 2004 by Lynx Edicions and edited by Joan Estrada, Vittorio Pedrocchi, Lluis Brotons and Sergi Herrando, the book presents the results of three years' worth of fieldwork surveying Catalonia's breeding birds between 1999 and 2002.

The ICO is currently compiling a Catalan Winter Bird Atlas with survey work taking place between 2006 and 2009.