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Bird Sounds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby Throated Hummingbird at red flower
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Listen to the sounds of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. What may sound like a bee buzzing by is actually the hum of a tiny bird beating its wings about 53 times a second!

(Bird sound compliments of The Macaulay Library at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.)

The Ruby-throated hummingbird migrates every spring the North America, traveling amazing distances from their winter homes in Central America and Mexico. They may travel as far north as eastern Canada. Wondering when the hummingbirds will arrive in your area? See this cool map on hummingbird migration.

These jewel-colored birds prefer to feed on red or orange flowers (though it’s not necessary to color the sugar water you put in a hummingbird feeder). See how to attract the ruby-throated hummingbird.

Have you heard a Ruby-throated Hummingbird? Add your comments below. Be sure to let us know where you live or where you’ve heard this bird sound before!

Click here to listen to the sounds of other birds!

Bird Sounds

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com and a Purdue University Extension Master Gardener. She loves helping readers find practical, trustworthy answers—whether they’re figu...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Denise T</span> Sun, 08/22/2021 - 12:44
Olga in NJ, there is only one type of hummer on the east coast. What you're seeing is a male and female Ruby Throat. The female doesn't have the red throat. I was hanging a feeder one day and heard a buzzing in my ear. Thinking it was a bee I jumped back just in time to see hummer make a "beeline" to the feeder I had just hung up. He was evidently letting me know that I was taking entirely too much time hanging up his lunch.
<span>Linda Potter</span> Sun, 06/06/2021 - 08:56
I read the post and editorial comment regarding hummingbirds in north eastern Oklahoma and considered it appropriate for us, as well. I’m watching the Cardinals and the Hummingbirds this morning. I’m easily entertained. I’m still learning and I don’t know how to tell the difference between male and female hummingbirds. I will certainly continue watching and learning.
<span>Olga Held</span> Sun, 05/02/2021 - 11:44
I live in central New Jersey. First time I've heard this churping sound from hummingbird I was so surprised ! I grow several varieties of huneysuckle vines , most of them with red and orange flowers and two different hummers visit the vines : ruby throat hummers and the other ones that I am not sure of what they called. So if I sit quetly on my deck 5- 6 feet away from the vine -- I can hear hummingbird making that churp-churp sound ! I think it is the one without the red spot in the throat that makes this call, but I am not too sure.
<span>Sharon</span> Sun, 09/06/2020 - 13:18
I live in New Smyrna Beach FL and we have them year round here but more during the winter months. We just love watching them.
<span>Laura Lonza</span> Sat, 08/15/2020 - 16:43
I live in Huntington Beach, CA. I have been watching hummingbirds for several years. Last week I was surprised when I saw 2 birds buzzing round and round each other. One landed on the tip of a bird of paradise leaf with his or her beak pointed upward. The other hummingbird flew back and forth then they touched beaks. This went on for a couple of hours. Simply loved watching them.
<span>Dora Valenzuela</span> Mon, 07/27/2020 - 13:39
Hi Margie. I just read your comment on hummingbirds eating out of your hands. What a thrill! How did you manage that?
<span>Margie Stickles</span> Mon, 06/15/2020 - 20:47
I have them in my backyard here in the upstate New York. I have patiently waited for four weeks and finally one is eating from my hand!!! His name is Tiny Tim ❤️
<span>Robbin Mcknight</span> Sun, 05/17/2020 - 01:53
spotted may 4th connellsville pa
<span>Roxanne</span> Sat, 05/16/2020 - 16:35
We live in Lebanon, Illinois. We've had one hummingbird arrive so far. He's been around about 2 weeks now. We've had a very late spring, pretty chilly still compared to normal.
<span>Hardwired56</span> Fri, 05/15/2020 - 19:22
3 males have shown up so far. Last year, everyone was late in arriving. We didn't have a sighting until the last week of May. Then we had about 8 females and 4 males visiting our 8 feeders. We put them out the first week of April as that is the earliest we have ever had "passers thru" make a pit stop.