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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>Levi</span> Sat, 12/24/2016 - 23:04
I live in Washington State, and have 4 humming birds that I and my neighbor are feeding. She plants flower baskets that attract them during the summer months. They live in my plum trees in the front yard. I am perplexed as to how they survive the winter. This year (the end of 2016) has been hitting freezing temperatures which is uncommon in Western Washington (South of Olympia). What is the coldest weather they can tolerate? Can you make the syrup out of honey instead of sugar? Thanks :D
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 01/05/2017 - 12:22

Yes, there have been many documented sightings of hummingbirds surviving snowy winters--they are tougher than people realize! As for honey, it's not recommended because when diluted with water it can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

 <span>Nancy Skipper</span> Tue, 08/09/2016 - 08:16
I moved last year from a rural area where I had outdoor vines and plants that attract Hummers to closer in town where there is no outdoor blooming plants of any kind. However I put out my feeder but after a week saw nothing but ants coming to the feeder so I didn't refill it. My neighbor behind me put out a feeder about 2 weeks ago, then a week ago I saw a Hummer hovering at the empty feeder on my porch! I felt like a heel because the feeder was empty, so I quickly made nectar, washed the feeder, and refilled it. I've enjoyed seeing the Hummer feed at my porch every 10 - 15 minutes all day long ever since!
<span>Jackie Thornley</span> Tue, 09/01/2015 - 18:08
i'm from the North Central Arkansas it is 9/1/2015. I have at least 8 hummingbirds in our yard, eating at 3 feeders and live plants. There are 2 male red throat (Kings of one feeder) they play King of the Feeder all day long.....and chase any female off as soon as they lite by their feeder. They are so lovely to watch. If I should wear a colored/flower blouse, they dive at me..they should know by now I'm just another blooming idiot that loves Hummers.
<span>Tracy Thibodeau</span> Fri, 08/14/2015 - 13:00
We put up a hummingbird feeder outside our front door. I believe there are three that are sharing the feeder at different times (never together). Two fly off if they see me sitting there, but one will hover about a yard in front of me and a half a foot up, flitting back and forth, chirping away if I'm sitting there. I don't know whether it's saying hello or go away, but it sure is amusing. I think these three also share the Larkspur and the Columbine in the back yard. Oswego, IL
<span>Ann Keating</span> Tue, 08/04/2015 - 14:17
I have a pair here,they have a feeder each,love watching them. Rimouski,Quebec,Canada
<span>Kimdh</span> Fri, 07/10/2015 - 22:17
I am in north Omaha NE, I have 1 male and 1 female that I know of living in the tree beside my upper deck.
<span>Katie Wolf</span> Thu, 04/23/2015 - 13:53
I have put out a humming bird feeder about a week ago but as of now I don't have any birds to come to feed yet. How long does it take form them to begain to feed on them after you put the feeder out?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 04/24/2015 - 09:55

Hi, Katie: Depending on where you are, it may still be a little too cold for hummingbirds to return. If you are in a permanently warmer area, sometimes it just takes a while for them to discover a new feeder. Just be patient. They will. Thanks for asking!

 <span>Scdouble</span> Thu, 08/08/2013 - 20:34
Have several ruby-red neck hummingbirds in our backyard (Anderson, SC). One eats from all the flowers on the feeder and one only eats from only the back of the feeder There is a larger hummingbird that seems to guard the smaller ones but this one has not perched on our deck as of yet. It looks like a light brown or tan.