For us as well as homeowners who participate, the most thrilling part of hummer banding is the release of a banded hummingbird. Once banded with a uniquely numbered band, the tiny bird is considered a "flying piece of information," and thus creates an opportunity for its future recapture and subsequent life history to be recorded and studied.

By specifically identifying an individual bird and recording critical data about that bird at the time of banding, it is possible to determine its breeding range, migrational routes, and longevity if it is ever reencountered again. This research has resulted in volumes of bird books.

The science of banding a hummingbird is a finely tuned process, which requires a sensitive and acquired touch. After the hummer enters a wire cage trap (much like a bird cage) through a trap door, the tiny bird is then carefully gathered in hand and taken to the banding table. The 2- to 3-minute processing time includes noting general overall health, meticulously placing a lightweight numbered band on its leg between the wrist and elbow. We then take and record critical measurements of the length of its wing, tail, bill and weight. The energetic bird is then released after this brief interruption of its lifestyle, and accelerates to about 25 mph in two seconds.

During the appropriate time frame, females are visually checked for the presence of an egg, which can be seen by gently blowing aside the feathers near her vent. Because the skin is translucent, you can see the egg membrane right through her skin and verify her gravidness with a corresponding weight. Just before laying an egg, the female hummer is carrying up to an additional 30 percent of her total body weight. This stalwart lady of a bird carries out her life's mission of motherhood totally alone with no help from the male.

Hummingbird banding is a special science studying a mysterious winged creature that lives among us. We consider it a privilege and responsibility to learn as much as we can about them. Again, we can't emphasize enough how crucial the homeowners are to our hummer research; we appreciate them immensely. Stay tuned and happy birding...

For more information about bird banding, visit the North American Bird Banding Laboratory Web site at www.usgs.pwrc.gov/bbl.

Editor's note: IR Outdoors will run occasional updates from volunteer scientists Ned and Gigi Batchelder who will be capturing and banding hummingbirds in the Helena area as part of a research project.