What is the lifespan of a hummer?

I'll bet banding is
a lot of fun. Especially when you catch one of those again, or one from
another place and it helps give information.

In article
8c31c50c-04aa-423d-8c31-e2b785b3f997 at (no spam) m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com>,
Theresa <tbernhardsen at (no spam) verizon.net> wrote:

What is the lifespan of a hummer?

Average lifespan is about 3 years for males and 4 years for females. The
oldest known Ruby-throated was 9 years old when last recaptured.

In article <Xaudnd1hzagE-u_VnZ2dnUVZ_rTinZ2d at (no spam) earthlink.com>,
"Von Fourche" <khonakong at (no spam) hotmail.com> wrote:

Do you catch hummers in a cage? Do they bite when you handle them? Do
you have on gloves or something?

Hummingbirds are about as harmless as creatures get. They don't bite,
claw, peck, or sting. No gloves required (though hand washing is a good
idea after handling any wild animal).

Here's a photo essay a visitor made of one of my banding demonstrations:
http://margy.smugmug.com/gallery/3379707_PP8Rz#P-1-12

"Lanny Chambers" <lanny at (no spam) hummingbirds.net> wrote in message
news:lanny-792BA1.11251208072008 at (no spam) news.kc.sbcglobal.net...
In article
8c31c50c-04aa-423d-8c31-e2b785b3f997 at (no spam) m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com>,
Theresa <tbernhardsen at (no spam) verizon.net> wrote:

What is the lifespan of a hummer?

Average lifespan is about 3 years for males and 4 years for females. The
oldest known Ruby-throated was 9 years old when last recaptured.



I sure would like to grab a hummer or two in the backyard and band it. I
know that's
a big no-no tho. I will not do that. Sure would be fun tho. It must be
amazing to band a hummer and then find it the next year or two. Amazing.

One of my hummer feeders is close to the kitchen window. Each time I

The hummers we catch go into a shock like
state where they do not move when being handled sometimes.

We do not band them because we do not have bands small enough.

Susan Campbell (NC bander) also puts a white dot on their heads and
that I might be able to see but so far none of her banded birds have
stopped at my window.

Lanny, do you color mark yours?

In article <g516l1$cse$1 at (no spam) aioe.org>,
The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy'
me3 at (no spam) privacy.net> wrote:

The hummers we catch go into a shock like
state where they do not move when being handled sometimes.

Sometimes they go limp, sometimes they struggle mightily. They're OK as
long as their eyelids aren't drooping. After handling, it's a good idea
to hold them up to a hummingbird feeder before release, offering (but
not forcing) an energy boost. Never, never use a photographer's grip on
a hummingbird! If there's a licensed hummer bander in your area,
consider asking him/her to instruct your banding team in how to handle
them safely. And get a copy of the hummingbird banding manual, just for
the info on stress and handling.

We do not band them because we do not have bands small enough.

Not to mention, hummingbird banding requires a separate authorization on
one's permit, like raptor banding, to ensure appropriate training.
Without the hummer endorsement, the BBL won't provide the materials for
hummingbird bands (which must be hand made by each bander in the correct
size for each species/sex).

Banding is a very satisfying way for a citizen to contribute to
scientific knowledge, isn't it?