Vickie Henderson Art: Wonder of Hummingbirds Festival Holds Outstanding Event!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration is in full swing in Tennessee making this an exciting time of year for hummingbird lovers!

The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird shown above is molting feathers, meaning the old worn ones are falling out and being replaced with new ones. Tiny white tubules, that become the feather's shaft, hold the feathers as they grow. Molting during migration is a sign of health, according to Master Bander, Mark Armstrong. It means the hummingbird has enough energy reserves, or fat stored, for both migration and healthy growth.

Photo credit: Jody Stone

On Saturday, Aug 22nd, the Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society and Ijams Nature Center hosted their fifth annual Wonder of Hummingbirds Festival in Knoxville and the crowd of people attending were enthusiastic and eager to enjoy the many nature activities offered by the festival.

Photo credit: Tom Howe

Organized by talented KTOS member, Billie Cantwell, the event attracted more than 1300 visitors who enjoyed hummingbird banding, nature walks, wildlife demonstrations, expert speakers, food and arts and crafts vendors and exciting children's activities!

Photo credit: Susan Baumgardner

The popular highlight of the event is the hummingbird banding demonstrations offered by Mark Armstrong, Master Bander of hummingbirds and songbirds.

Photo credit: Jody Stone. Mark Armstrong examines a hummingbird.

Below, volunteer Andy Troutman removes a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird from one of the bander's traps. Hummingbirds enter the trap to access the feeder and a door is lowered with an attached line.

Photo credit: Susan Baumgardner.

Once removed from the trap, the hummer is placed in a mesh bag and transported to the bander.

Photo credit: Jody Stone

Photo credit: Susan Baumgardner.

Mark first checks the hummers legs to be sure there is no current band. He then secures a numbered band around its leg and examines the hummer for age, sex and health. Measurements are recorded for the tail and beak and the belly is checked for fat to help determine overall health. If the individual is a juvenile male, he also records the number of red feathers on the throat.

Photo credit: Jody Stone.

Above, Mark Armstrong attaches a numbered band to a hummingbird's leg. The small stocking covers the hummers head and helps to keep it calm. Watch the video below to see banding in progress.

Video credit: Jody Stone

Photo credit: Susan Baumgarder.

Above, Patty Ford gives visitors a close look at a hummingbird before release and below, she gently places a hummingbird in a child's hand for the release.

Photo credit: Jody Stone.

The banding station banded 28 hummingbirds and had one male re-capture that was originally banded at the festival three years ago. The average life-span of a male hummingbird is 1.4 years and the oldest recorded male hummingbird was five years old. Our re-captured bird is doing well!

I was introduced to hummingbird banding in 2009 at the first banding demonstration held at Ijams Nature Center, sponsored by KTOS, and it has been exciting to watch this event expand and attract the large crowds attending today.