PINETOP, Ariz. - The Arizona Game and Fish Department and White Mountain Audubon Society are teaming up to offer a unique opportunity for people to learn more about Arizona's hummingbirds. On Saturday, July 30, Sheri Williamson, one of the nation's foremost experts on hummingbirds, will conduct a capture and bird-banding event that is free and open to the public at the department's Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area.

An expert bands a Rufous hummingbird at last year's workshop.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for people to get up close and personal with these flying jewels," says Sue Sitko, spokesperson with the White Mountain Audubon Society. "We are quite fortunate to be able to get Sheri, who is the author of the Peterson Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America, to come to our part of the state to demonstrate her research."

The one-of-a-kind program will begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. Observers will be able to interact with Williamson as they watch her capture, measure, weigh and band birds. They will also be able to use a stethoscope to hear a hummingbird's heart beat more than 200 times a minute.

Other fun programs will also be offered at the wildlife area that day. At 9 a.m., Audubon members will lead a bird walk on one of the hiking trails on the Sipe property. At 10:30, visitors can watch a slide presentation and hear a discussion on hummingbird natural history. People are also welcome to explore the visitor center's interpretive displays on wildlife, habitats, prehistoric culture and conservation.

Kids get in on the hummingbird fun.

"Still, we encourage people to come prepared to spend most of the morning outdoors," says Sitko. "It's a good idea to bring your own food and water, as well as a camera and binoculars."

For those who are unable to make the Saturday morning program, Williamson will be the featured guest speaker for the department's Summer Wildlife Speaker Series that same evening. This program is also free of charge and will begin at 6 p.m. at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's office in Pinetop, which is located at 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd. Due to the popularity of this evening program and limited seating, officials recommend arriving early.

The Sipe Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive about five miles, on a dirt road suitable for passenger cars, to the Sipe property.

For more information on this special event, contact the Pinetop Game and Fish office at (928) 367-4281.