I don't know if this is much help, but you could contact Bob Sargent, who along with his wife, founded the Hummer/Bird Study Group. They hold about 25% of the banding permits authorizing the banding of hummers. In fact, they banded a winter hummer at my house many years ago. He will give you the name of a bander near you who might could be of help. Contact him at Rubythroat@aol.com., or 205-681-2888. They place a very large cage where the feeder is located, then hang the feeder inside the cage. A long rope is attached to the cage door, while the bander sits many ft. away with the door open. Usually it doesn't take too long for the hummer to fly to the feeder in the cage. This procedure might help to temporarily capture the hummer so that whatever is stuck to his foot can be removed.

Even though this would be a rescue effort, not banding, it might just work. Good luck and keep us posted.

Donna

I wouldnt worry about it too much as I have seen them carry things to the feeder stuck in claw or beak and they eventually get rid of it. If they are continueing to feed and go thru their normal routine no problem.

Thanks Donna hummersteve. I emailed Bob Sargent and sent some photos the object stuck to the Hummers claw. I'm hoping hummersteve is right and that the Hummer sheds this object naturally on a tree or shrub branch. I'll keep you posted.

I received this very reassuring reply from Bob Sargent regarding my Hummer:

"The bird is an adult female and it is nesting. It is in no danger from the bit of nesting material stuck on its claw. Fear not, it will eventually dislodge the downy material."

Thanks again Donna for putting me in touch with Bob. I can rest easy now.

Well I can rest easy too! So glad to find out it wasn't a serious situation and glad that Bob was able to quickly identify it as nesting material!

Donna