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Purpose Hummingbird Research, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by Fred Bassett to promote the conservation of hummingbirds through research and education. We continue the vision of Bob and Martha Sargent and the Hummer/Bird Study Group. Background Fred began researching winter hummingbirds in the southeastern United States in 1997 with a primary focus on south Alabama and Florida. From 1998 to 2008, Fred banded 1,598 wintering hummingbirds of ten species in those two states. His ground-breaking research was documented in "Wintering hummingbirds in Alabama and Florida: species diversity, sex and age ratios, and site fidelity," a scientific paper coauthored with Doreen Cubie and published in the June 2009 issue of the Journal of Field Ornithology, a peer-reviewed publication. Read The Paper Hummingbird Research has now expanded to include several associated banders who have banded more than 4,500 wintering hummingbirds in the Southeast including Rufous, Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Calliope, Broad-tailed, Allen's, Buff-bellied, Broad-billed, Anna's, Costa's, White Eared, and Mexican Violet Eared. During spring and summer, we have continuing research projects in the Northwest and have done research in Alaska and Canada. Wintering Hummingbirds Learning more about wintering hummingbirds is the primary focus of our research. The general public is a critical part of our research, and without our “hummer hosts,” the people who maintain feeders and flowers for hummingbirds, our studies would not be possible. If you live in Florida, Alabama, or Georgia and have a western hummingbird at your feeder at any time or any species of hummingbird (including Ruby-throated) coming to a feeder after November 15th, please contact Fred Bassett (fhound@aol.com or 334-868-9658). Either Fred or an associated bander will make every effort to come to your home to identify and band your winter visitor(s). Banding will not harm the bird or make it leave. If you have a winter hummingbird outside our normal banding area, we will attempt to find a local bander for you. We suggest you maintain at least one hummingbird feeder during the winter. It is best to put the feeder where you can see it in the morning while eating breakfast or drinking coffee, because winter hummers normally feed the most during early morning hours. We recommend one part sugar to four parts water when preparing sugar water. Keep your feeder clean and change the sugar water at least every two weeks during cold weather and more often if it is warm. Do not get discouraged if you do not get a hummingbird immediately. Many winter hummingbirds do not appear in the Southeast until mid- December or even later. We band most of our wintering hummers in December and January. Winter Banding Data Click below for a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with details about all winter hummingbirds banded by Hummingbird Research. Winter Banding Data |
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