Q: How much does a hummingbird band weigh?
A: Bands are made from very thin sheets of aluminum alloy, which are stripped, cut, smoothed and formed by the bander. Each band weighs less than 1/100 of a gram.

Q: Does the bird mind the band?
A: The band is the equivalent of us wearing a watch. We might notice it the first day or so, but then it just feels natural.

Q: Where does the band go? I don't see legs on my hummingbirds.
A: All hummers have legs, they are just very short and hard to see unless they perch. The band is placed on the leg with a special pair of pliers.

Q: Does the bird get stressed out?
A: Hummingbirds handle the banding process well. The safety and well-being of the birds is always the top concern and birds are released immediately if they show any signs of stress. Birds are also given the chance to drink nectar at the banding table while still in the hand, and they often do. Some birds return to the banding cages numerous times, so obviously they are not negatively affected.

Q: How do you catch them?
A: Very carefully! The birds are caught in special traps with feeders placed inside. Some have remote controlled doors, and some are self-trapping. The traps are watched at all times and the birds are never in the trap more than a minute. The bander then reaches inside and gently removes the bird and places it into a mesh bag, where it will remain calm and safe until it is banded.

Q: Why can't we go near the traps?
A: Too many people near the traps will spook the birds and defeat the purpose. They're hard enough to catch already! Please do not enter the roped off areas. You can see the birds up close at the banding tent.

Q: Can I hold a bird?
A: A limited number of birds will be caught, so unfortunately not everyone will get a turn. We try to give as many kids as possible a chance. We hope that seeing this process up close will make a positive impact on children and they will be respectful of hummingbirds and other wildlife in the future.

Q: How many will you catch?
A: It depends on the birds. Some days we catch only a few, and other days we can catch dozens. Most birds will be caught during the first hour or so, which is why visitors are encouraged to come early.