A Rufous hummingbird fills up on nectar from one of the many blooming flowers attracting a diversity of hummingbird species during migration in the Chiricahuas of southeastern Arizona.

IT'S A HALL TRAP!

As these birds feast on nectar, a trigger line is released, and a weighted mesh curtain falls around the birds. The Hall trap, especially designed by retired engineer and volunteer Lee Rogers, is more efficient than typical mist nets and wire cages....[More]

IT'S A HALL TRAP!

As these birds feast on nectar, a trigger line is released, and a weighted mesh curtain falls around the birds. The Hall trap, especially designed by retired engineer and volunteer Lee Rogers, is more efficient than typical mist nets and wire cages.  [Less] [Link to this slide]

A student volunteer explains how to gently handle a trapped hummingbird and place it in a soft mesh holding bag.

The birds in mesh holding bags wait their turn to be measured, weighed, fed and released.

While in mesh holding bags, the birds each receive a band, or, if there is an existing band, its band number is read off to the recorder.

Bands are chosen for every bird individually to match specific criteria so they are as comfortable as a wearing a watch or bracelet.

Wethington properly identifies a male Blue-throated hummingbird, measures his beak and wing.

Wethington uses a straw to gently blow air on the bird to check for molt, fat and pollen. These measurements are all recorded.

PENNYWEIGHTS:

The bird is placed on a scale to get its weight. The larger Magnificent hummingbirds weigh between seven and eight grams and the Broad-tailed hummingbirds between three and four grams....[More]

PENNYWEIGHTS:

The bird is placed on a scale to get its weight. The larger Magnificent hummingbirds weigh between seven and eight grams and the Broad-tailed hummingbirds between three and four grams. The Calliope hummingbird, the smallest found north of Mexico, generally weighs between two and three grams (about the same as a copper penny).  [Less] [Link to this slide]

RECORDING DATA:

A record is made of all the birds' measurements and their weights. The data, which are submitted to the Bird Banding Laboratory of the U.S...[More]

RECORDING DATA:

A record is made of all the birds' measurements and their weights. The data, which are submitted to the Bird Banding Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey, can help inform researchers about population and migratory patterns.  [Less] [Link to this slide]

A young volunteer slowly closes her fingers over a bird and gently applies a "bander's grip."

Wethington demonstrates how to appropriately grip a Calliope hummingbird gently and safely.

A volunteer feeds a hummingbird before it's released. The bird drinks heartily, filling up its crop with sugar water, before fluttering off.