Hunters across Europe have a long tradition of monitoring and collecting data on game species to support research and ensure sustainable hunting practices. For migratory birds in particular, one of the most valuable contributions hunters make to population studies is the collection of wing data. This practice is well established in many EU countries, including Denmark, Italy, France and Ireland, as well as in the UK (BASC) and others.
In essence, hunters collect samples, typically wings, tails or other identifying parts, from harvested birds and send them to the relevant organisations for analysis. However, recent progress has been made in remote data collection through mobile applications and artificial intelligence (for example, in France).
One of the most important outputs of these wing surveys is the ratio of young-to-adult birds in the sample, a key indicator of breeding success. A high proportion of juvenile birds suggests a successful breeding season, while a low ratio may signal underlying problems.
Wing data can also reveal migratory flyways, regional differences in migration timing, and broader population trends, all of which are crucial for science-based waterfowl management.
Mallard wing monitoring in Germany
Germany has recently added a new initiative to this field with the launch of a mallard wing data collection project in Schleswig-Holstein. The State Hunting Association of Schleswig-Holstein (LJV SH), in cooperation with Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) and the Lower Saxony State Hunting Association (LJN), has integrated an innovative wing-monitoring tool into the Tierfund-Kataster (animal find register) application. The project is funded by the German Hunting Association (DJV) along with the hunting associations of Lower Saxony and Hesse.
A new feature in the free Tierfund-Kataster application now allows hunters to upload photos of harvested mallards. These photos are used to determine the bird’s age and sex, with the resulting data feeding directly into scientific analyses. After evaluation, individual hunting grounds can access their own results. This makes the process faster, easier and more accessible than traditional methods.
How it works
Participating in wing monitoring takes only a few minutes:
- Download or update the Tierfund-Kataster application.
- After the hunt, open the application and select “Wing Monitoring” from the start menu.
- Follow the guided instructions for taking photos. A total of five images are required: head, rump, and upper side of the wing.
- Upload the photos directly through the application.
The submitted images are reviewed independently by three experts, who currently achieve an accuracy rate of 94%. In the future, artificial intelligence will take over this task, making it essential to gather as many wing images as possible during the current hunting season.
Thanks to this user-friendly system, any hunter with a smartphone can actively contribute to wildlife research with minimal effort and significant impact.
Why this matters
For the first time, Germany will be able to collect reliable, large-scale data on the composition of its mallard population. These insights improve our understanding of the conservation status of duck populations and provide a scientific basis for sustainable, long-term hunting management. Wing monitoring is a project of the State Hunting Association of Schleswig-Holstein (LJV SH) in cooperation with Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen and the Lower Saxony State Hunting Association (LJN). It is funded by the German Hunting Association (DJV), the Lower Saxony State Hunting Association and the Hesse State Hunting Association.
