Movebank

API

Free API for global animal movement and migration data

Overview

The Movebank API provides RESTful access to comprehensive animal movement and migration datasets, including tracking locations, study metadata, and individual animal profiles. Responses are formatted in JSON. Key endpoints allow querying tracks by species or study ID, retrieving observation details (timestamps, environmental context), and accessing project metadata. Ideal for ecological researchers analyzing migration patterns, conservationists monitoring wildlife populations, educators building interactive learning tools, and developers creating apps for biodiversity awareness and wildlife tracking.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://github.com/movebank/movebank-api-doc')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful Interface
JSON Support
Global Animal Movement Data
Public Data Access Without API Key
Study Metadata Integration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Movebank API free to use?

Yes, access to public animal movement data via the Movebank API is free. Private datasets may require permission from data owners.

? Does it require an API Key?

No API key is needed for public data. Private/restricted datasets require authentication and permission from providers.

? What is the response format?

The Movebank API returns data in JSON format, which is easy to parse for applications and research tools.

Top Alternatives

eBird API Search Google

Wildlife Insights API Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Animals

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free for public data access
⊕ Comprehensive global dataset
⊕ Supports conservation and research
⊕ Well-documented with examples

Cons

⊖ Private data requires permission
⊖ Rate limits for heavy usage
⊖ Some endpoints need study ID/species code familiarity