EURING Code Manual - The European Union for Bird Ringing

Primary Moultalphanumeric, 10 charactersTen digits, each in the range 0-5 (or V or X).0 Old feather present1 Old feather missing or new feather still completely in pin.2 New feather just emerging from quill up to one-third grown.3 New feather between one and two thirds grown.4 More than two thirds grown but waxy sheath still present at base of quills.5 Feather completely new, no waxy sheath remains visible.V Feather Very old (from a generation previous to feathers being moulted).X Feather not present on the species (e.g. outermost primary on most finches).These digits are arranged from inner to outer primaries. For example, a Collared Dove Streptopeliadecaocto, which had arrested a full-post juvenile moult in the autumn, with three outer primariesunmoulted, and now had begun to moult the inner primaries as part of its first complete adult moult,might be given a code of 5554100VVV. A Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, with nearly completed moultmight be given a code of 555554321X.Old Greater Covertsinteger, maximum 2 digitsThe number of unmoulted greater coverts retained after post juvenile moult. This code is normallyonly applicable for passerines.There is some disagreement over whether there are 9 or 10 greater coverts. This code allows foreither convention. Analysts should, therefore, note that a code of 9 could indicate either 9 or 10retained feathers.AlulaAlphanumeric, three charactersThree characters to describe the state of the three alula feathers. The characters are given in ordersmallest feather to largest.0 old1 new or growingU unknown whether new or oldThus typical codes may be U10, 110, 111 etc. Always use U for the smallest feather if it cannot befound to ensure there are exactly three characters in this code.Carpal Covertinteger, one digitA single integer to describe state of moult of the carpal covert.0 old1 newEURING exchange-code 2000 Enhanced 33 - 42