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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

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 09/04/2018 - 16:15

Only the males have a ruby throat, which is the easiest way to tell them from the females, which are more of a drab green with a white belly.

 <span>Elizabeth</span> Tue, 08/07/2018 - 17:29
I raised a male baby Ruby-Throated Hummingbird that was trapped in a four-story courtyard where I worked. (Guess his mom thought it would be a safe place!) I got to watch him learn to fly (which was fascinating!) and I got to hear him sing (not chirp) to a parakeet he had a crush on! His song was very high, very sweet, and very melodic. Really beautiful! He was slowly introduced back into the wild when he was old enough. :)
<span>Gail Roberts</span> Wed, 05/23/2018 - 20:05
Saw first hummer at a new feeder just put out in marquette mi...could be rufus or female ruby didnt get close look ran to get camera poof it was gone... hopefully to tell its friends!
<span>Lydia Trumbette</span> Mon, 06/04/2018 - 20:06
I saw my first female hummingbird this Saturday June 2 here in Philadelphia, Pa
<span>Denny Koenders</span> Mon, 06/25/2018 - 14:31
What state has yellow colored hummingbirds and what are they called.
<span>Karen Vasquez</span> Wed, 04/04/2018 - 00:39
I live in Ohio and they always return. I usually have 3 feeders out and they will hit everyone. Not only do they like petunias they also love mandevilla plants and Angel trumpets. They are so neat to watch. I do notice they get territorial and will emit a high chirp when chasing the others off. Mimosa trees also attract them. The flowers are not tubular so I don't know why they are attracted to it but the flowers are real fragrant. Can always see them around the mimosa tree pretty much of the day.
<span>Georgia Todd</span> Mon, 07/24/2017 - 15:43
I live in Zone 7 in Chesapeake, VA and I have 4 feeders. I have the pleasure of seeing Hummingbirds daily. The males seem to be very territorial over certain feeders and running off all intruders. I notice that the feed very early in the morning and at dusk. I absolutely love hummingbirds.
<span>Davina</span> Sat, 06/24/2017 - 13:48
I live in Langley, BC Canada and I have frequent visits to my hummingbird feeder on my 3rd floor deck. I placed it next to an orange honeysuckle plant and have a variety of other bright coloured flowers around to attract these beautiful creatures.
<span>Patricia Schulze</span> Mon, 04/17/2017 - 18:35
I live in New York City in a very urban setting. I have only potted plants in my concrete garden on a nice wooden deck. I had a hummingbird feeder out all last summer and got a plants that I thought would attract them with their red flowers. I am trying again this spring hoping to attract them when they migrate north again. Is there anything else I can do to attract them to my garden deck? Thank you for any help you can provide.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 04/20/2017 - 09:21

Hi Patricia,

You are on the right track! To make sure you've got flowers that really attract hummingbirds, check the list here: http://www.almanac.com/blog/gardening/gardening/attract-ruby-throated-hummingbirds

To further increase your chances, hang a few feeders at varying heights between 3 to 5 feet. It can take a while for hummingbirds to notice feeders, so the best course of action is to leave them out, cleaning and refilling the nectar regularly (to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria). Lastly, you won't see hummingbirds in your area until early May.  Follow their migration progress on the map at the bottom of the page here: http://www.hummingbird-guide.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2017.html#spring-migration-map-2017

Good luck!