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Thursday, May 10, 2018

BANDING HUMMINGBIRDS

The view from the site where we were banding hummers.

My neighbour holding one of the birds.

Putting on a very soft restraint.

Banding.

Preparing a band for the hummingbird, wrapped up on the table below. The bands are very tiny, and applied with what look to be orthodontic pliers.

Colouration of tail feathers is one of the ways to identify sex, and adult versus juvenile bird. C. is showing me the differences.

Using a straw to blow on its neck and belly, to see the skin under the feathers and look for fat deposits [a good thing - indicates enough food] and the presence of parasites.

Last weekend, one of my good neighbours asked if I'd like to watch and help with some hummingbird banding. Both she and her husband are ecologists with Environment Canada. Of course I went!

The banding is done to monitor the health of the bird population. Various measurements are taken - weight, presence of fat deposits, length of beak and wing - as well as collection any urine or feces [the size of a raspberry seed]. These measurements are all used to analyze the birds' well-being, especially with respect to insecticides and anti-fungals that are sprayed on some of the fields growing fruit. All in all, a fascinating morning!!!

Thank you for dropping by!

10 comments:

  1. How in the world do they catch them to band them? Very interesting!

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  2. How awesome to get to see that. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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  3. Wow. I thought humming-birds only existed in the tropical regions! I don't think we have them in the UK.

    Very interesting, thanks for sharing

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  4. What a fun experience! They are such tiny adorable little birdies!

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  5. What an interesting post Kathryn!!! It's incredible to think they can band such a tiny bird.... How interesting to be part of it!!! enjoy your weekend!!!!!

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  6. OMG, this was an awesome opportunity and so glad you shared it with us!! Aren't they just the most amazing things - so small, so fast, so beautiful. Thanks for the post, loved it!

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  7. Oh Kathryn - what amazing photos and wonderful way to spend time. Hummingbirds are just my favorite. Look so forward to their return in the spring (and they have)! Take care and have a great weekend.

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  8. how cool is this !!!! thanks for sharing :)

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  9. so so very tiny
    interesting to see how they band such tiny birds :)

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  10. Must have been something new and interesting.

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