Applying to analyse data from the EURING databank

Types of data available

EURING is keen to promote the maximum use of the data gathered by its member schemes and welcomes applications to analyse data held in the EURING databank (EDB). These data are suitable for addressing a range of questions concerned with migration and movements, population dynamics and dispersal. Examples of analyses of migration and movements can be found in the growing number of Migration Atlases. EURING has also been actively involved in promoting quantitative analyses of population dynamics and movements via the EURING technical conferences.

The data held in the EDB are principally recoveries of ringed birds that have either been found dead or recaptured alive away from their place of ringing. Some local recaptures are included but for many schemes this aspect of the data is very incomplete. (Schemes' practices for inclusion of data are described here.) The data for each bird comprise two or more encounter records. The main fields provided for each encounter are ringing scheme, ring number, species, age, sex, date, place, co-ordinates and recovery circumstances (e.g. shot, captured by ringer).
Distance, direction and elapsed time relative to the original ringing record are also provided. Full details of the coding scheme are available here.

Please use the EDB Index to assess whether we are likely to be able to provide the data that you would need for your proposed research. Data are supplied as fixed format ASCII files in EURING 2000 code format. We are not normally able to supply the data in other formats.

The EDB does not currently include data on ringed birds that have not been recovered or recaptured. Many schemes gather much detailed data on individual birds, such as measurements, body mass and moult information. These data are not currently included in the EDB.

The application procedure is provided here.

Payment for EDB data

If you have made an application and received a quote, you can pay here.