On August 18, while birding in SE Arizona, we headed to Sierra Vista to attend hummingbird banding at the San Pedro House. My permit does not allow me to band hummingbirds. This takes special training and permits. I really wanted to learn holding techniques and just to see another aspect of bird banding.
The banding was sponsored by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO). The permitted bander is Tom Wood and banding that day, was Sheri Williamson, author of "Hummingbirds of North America" in the Peterson Field Guides series. Tom and Sheri are directors of SABO. Studying and banding hummingbirds for years, they have amassed a wealth of knowledge about these jewels.
They banded over 30 Black-chinned Hummingbirds that evening. Their local males had left but there were still migrating males, females, and young birds to see. They take down all of the usual feeders and place a net enclosure around one remaining one. When a bird is there the outside edge drops to catch the birds.
The birds are transported to the banding table in mesh containers and wait there until the birds can be processed.
Hummingbird bands are made in 5 sizes - extra small to extra large - by hand by the banders. Sheets of thin metal with imprinted numbers are cut, filed, sized, and shaped. The tools are much like the ones we have pictured on the blog for our work but smaller.
Hummingbird banding tools and bands
The whole process is actually much like small bird banding but with adjustments. Holds are along the body, securing the wings. Birds are evaluated for fat, parasites, sex, molt, color, weight, and more.
Applying the band
Checking for fat and overall condition
Of course some methods had to be adjusted. The hummingbirds were wrapped in a gauze/net material and clipped to a scale to be weighed. Each bird was no more than the weight of a penny (the old copper kind!).
Weighing a hummingbird
The whole process is open to the public and there were a lot of folks there. The first 30 people were asked if they wanted to release birds. There was much enthusiasm for that. Birds were offered nectar during the banding process if it appeared they were tired or even if they were over-active and needed calming. They were also fed prior to release. The volunteers made all the work look easy and a lot of education was done. An excellent experience!
My sincere thanks to Sheri for answering all of my questions and for the work she does. I also thank Tom Wood and all of the volunteers for this opportunity and for the work they do.
Interesting report. Thanks for posting.
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