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Bird Sounds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Calls

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener
341ahummingbird.mp3 (181.56 KB)

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.

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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, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Md. Imdadul Haque</span> Sat, 09/14/2024 - 08:51
Mine are up year round but I live in Southern CA. My girlfriend in NC has them out May 1st. All depends where you live. Here are a few links to help you out! Enjoy! birdzfly.com
<span>Laurie Fischer</span> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 19:53
I look forward to the arrival of our Ruby Throated hummers every year here in the Mohawk Valley of Upstate NY (40 miles from Albany). I have feeders everywhere and this year I planted Hummingbird bushes and Butterfly Bushes, which the hummer love. Our July heat is tough although our Winters are cold and snowy. I make sure to change their feeders frequently. We enjoy about 15-17 different birds daily and we love the sounds of our hummingbirds. Let’s take care of our birds and bees!
<span>P. Dyer</span> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 16:14
I've been feeding Ruby Throated Hummingbirds for years and always look forward to their visits ... usually 2-3 birds each year. Last year a strange colored Hummingbird appeared (black with a white or yellow band around its neck). Then this year I had what I thought was a Ruby Throated Hummingbird, but now I am not sure. Its' body was green, white just around its' face, and a brilliantly colored red cap at the very top of its' head. I tried to find out what they were, but was unsuccessful. BTW ... I live in NJ.
<span>Cristy Aman</span> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 11:57
I have six of them that have been hanging around my two feeders. They are very quick to let me know when they are out of food. I’m filling my feeders every other day!
<span>Deanne Henderson</span> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 09:42
I live in middle Georgia. The year of Hurricane Irma, after she passed through, I stood on the front porch during an irruption of hummers. Wow, it was breathtaking! There were hundreds, if not thousands. They were buzzing me so close I could feel the breeze from their wings, and feel the lift of my hair as they flew close. It was one of the most amazing events I have ever witnessed and will never forget it.
<span>Bobby D</span> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 08:36
A hummer was trapped in my garage frantically trying to get out through the closed windows. when he tired I gently picked him up and held him in my hand until he rested a bit. All the while he just stared at me. When I safely got him outside, I opened my hands. He then perched on my finger for a few seconds, gave me one last look and flew off. It was a wonderful moment.
<span>Brian S</span> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 08:04
If you want a great app for recording and identifying bird calls and songs, download "Merlin". It's free from Cornell University.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 09:10

So fun! Thanks for sharing, Brian. Cornell does a wonderful job!

 <span>Linda</span> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 07:00
Here in New Hampshire I have more than one hummer regularly visiting my feeder. It is so fun to see them doing their swooping back and forth, up and down, after one another. I have a special "bee proof" feeder since learning they could sting the hummingbirds. Not on my watch!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/25/2023 - 09:11

A bee-proof hummingbird feeder? Tell us more! Where did you find it?