Education

The Hummingbird Project

Tracey, Ben, and Fiona Tozier releasing a Magnificent Hummingbird at the Chuparosa Inn, Madera Canyon. – Photo by Al Tozier

Madera Canyon is one of 32 hummingbird monitoring sites in southeastern Arizona, southern and central California, British Columbia, all cooperating to learn more about the habitat requirements and populations of migrating and breeding hummingbirds. In Madera Canyon, we trap and band hummingbirds every other Monday from the end of March to the end of October. The data we collect include occurrence of birds at different times of year, the age and sex ratios of the population at each date, whether the birds are molting or building up fat for migration, and whether the females are preparing to lay eggs. From birds already banded, we learn about hummingbird longevity and sometimes of movement from one place to another over time.

Broad-billed Hummingbird male in heavy wing molt

If you would like to participate or watch the banding process, see the schedules on the web site: www.birchsidestudios.com.

If you would like to learn more about the national program, Hummingbird Monitoring Network, go to: www.HumMonNet.org.

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