Hummingbird Banding at the San Pedro House July 17

Up to ten species of hummingbirds use the San Pedro River as a freeway between their tropical winter retreats and northern nesting grounds. Get a close-up look at these tiny travelers as SABO staff and volunteers capture, band, measure, and release them as part of long-term studies of the bird life of this internationally important migration route.

Hummingbird banding is conducted at the San Pedro House visitor center of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, 7 miles east of Sierra Vista on Highway 90 (see map). Banding sessions take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on a weekly to biweekly schedule from late March to early June and late June to early October. Sessions are open to the public without reservations and at no cost, but donations in support of this study are gratefully accepted. "Adoptions" of banded birds also help support this research project; for more information on adopting a hummingbird, please visit the adoptions page.

Visit the Hummingbird Banding Photo Album