Hummingbird Banding
At the heart of our mission is educating people about hummingbirds—which begins with learning more about these mysterious creatures. One important way we do that is by supporting hummingbird banding efforts.
Banding helps us better understand hummingbirds’ movements, lifespans, populations, and behaviors—giving us the tools to more effectively protect these remarkable birds.
One of the sites we support is located in Page Springs, Arizona, just 11 miles outside of Sedona—a region where little banding has historically been done. The site is active from April through September, and if you’re in the area, we welcome spectators who are interested in learning more—and perhaps even becoming a bander in the future.
In partnership with the Hummingbird Research Group, IHS has undertaken two additional banding projects. One, centered in Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona, has established that Rivoli's Hummingbirds are breeding in the canyon. This is new information. Prior to our work, researchers had thought Rivoli's did not breed this far north.
Our second project is an extension of the banding done during the annual Sedona Hummingbird Festival in the Village of Oak Creek. We have ten years' worth of annual data, but now we are expanding to conduct banding every other week from spring through fall. This will provide a more complete picture of hummingbird activity and trends in the Sedona area. The banding for both of these projects takes place on private property and is therefore not open to the public.
Hummingbird Banding in the Sedona Area
From Saturday, April 19th to Saturday September 6th, 2025, Hilary Morejon, licensed hummingbird bander, will be banding at the Page Springs Fish Hatchery, Page Springs, Arizona every second Saturday. This banding project is a partnership between the International Hummingbird Society, the Hummingbird Monitoring Network, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, with support from Northern Arizona Audubon Society.
If you are in the area, we invite you to come and learn more about hummingbird banding. It is a truly remarkable experience to see these fascinating creatures up close.
Saturday June 28, 2025
Saturday July 12, 2025
Saturday Aug 9, 2025
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Saturday Sept 6, 2025
Time: 5:50 - 11am
Location: Page Springs Fish Hatchery
Directions:
The Page Springs Fish Hatchery is located at 1600 N Page Springs Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325—about 11 miles south of Sedona. From Sedona, take AZ-89A South toward Cottonwood, turn left on Page Springs Road, and follow signs to the hatchery. Free parking is available on-site.
What is Hummingbird Banding?
Banding is a scientific process where researchers gently capture a hummingbird, place a tiny, lightweight band around its leg, record data, and then release it back into the wild.
The bands used are specially made for hummingbirds—they are extremely light (about the weight of two grains of rice) and do not harm or hinder the bird in any way. Each band has a unique number, allowing scientists to identify individual birds if they are captured or sighted again.
Because hummingbirds are so small and delicate, only trained, federally permitted banders are allowed to band them.
Why is Banding Important?
Hummingbird banding is essential for advancing our understanding of hummingbird biology and conservation.
Banding helps scientists:
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Track migration patterns across vast distances
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Measure site fidelity—whether hummingbirds return to the same places year after year
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Monitor population trends over time
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Understand molting patterns (how and when they replace their feathers)
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Detect changes in species distribution possibly caused by climate change or habitat loss
What do Banders Discover?
When a hummingbird is banded, researchers can collect a surprising amount of information, including:
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Species Identification: Confirming exactly which hummingbird species are present in different regions.
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Age Estimation: By examining the bill and other physical characteristics, banders can often determine a hummingbird’s age.
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Sex Determination: Banders can identify whether a hummingbird is male or female based on plumage and other traits.
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Health and Condition: Banders measure weight, fat deposits, and feather wear to gather a snapshot of the bird’s health.
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Recapture Insights: If a banded hummingbird is recaptured later, researchers can learn about its survival, site fidelity, migration timing, and even physical changes over time.
Every bird banded and every piece of data collected builds a more complete picture of hummingbird lives that would otherwise be hidden from view.
Bander gently blows on an Anna's Hummingbird stomach to check it's fat deposits. A key in determine a hummingbird's health
Important Discoveries Thanks to Banding
Banding has led to several critical discoveries about hummingbirds, including:
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Incredible Migration Feats: Banding has confirmed that some hummingbirds, like the Rufous Hummingbird, migrate some 4,000 miles from Mexico to Alaska each year.
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Site Fidelity: Studies show that many hummingbirds return to the exact same garden, park, or feeder year after year—even after traveling thousands of miles.
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Longevity: Banding has helped record surprisingly long lifespans in the wild—some hummingbirds have been found to live 12 or more years.
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Climate Change Impacts: Long-term banding studies reveal shifts in migration timing and species distributions, offering vital clues about how hummingbirds are adapting to a changing world.
In places like Northern Arizona and Sedona, where few hummingbirds have been banded historically, these studies are just beginning—and they hold incredible promise for the future of hummingbird conservation.
Help Us Protect Hummingbirds
The International Hummingbird Society is proud to support hummingbird banding projects that expand our knowledge and help safeguard these extraordinary birds.
Your donation helps fund critical research, habitat protection, and public education initiatives that are making a real difference for hummingbirds.
Together, we can ensure that hummingbirds continue to inspire wonder for generations to come.
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