Watercolor portrait of Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris
Strongly migratory except in far souther… Open woodlands, gardens, yards, parks –… Common Mating display sounds

Learn to identify the Ruby-throated Hummingbird by ear. Master the "(wing trill)" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“(wing trill)”

What the Ruby-throated Hummingbird sounds like

A tiny hummingbird and the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. Males have a brilliant iridescent ruby-red throat patch (gorget) that can appear black in some angles, a metallic green back, and a grayish-white underside. Females lack the red throat; they are green above and whitish below, often with some faint streaking or spotting on the throat. Both sexes have a slender, straight black bill and rapid wingbeats creating a humming sound. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are agile fliers that hover at flowers and feeders. In summer they are found in gardens, wood edges, and anywhere with abundant blooms or feeders. They are very small (about 3.5 inches long) and extremely quick in flight.

“(wing trill)”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:Ruby-throated Hummingbirds do not have a true song as many songbirds do. Instead, males perform a courtship display where they swoop in a U-shaped dive in front of a female, which produces a distinctive rapid wing trill and sometimes an audible tail-feather flutter or "chirp" at the bottom of the dive. They also make chittering sounds during aggressive chases. So, their "song" is more of a mechanical and brief chirping associated with flight displays rather than a vocal melody. Often written as “(wing trill)”.
Don't confuse with:The Black-chinned Hummingbird — this species overlaps slightly in central united states (texas/oklahoma) and as a vagrant eastward. male black-chinned has a black throat with a thin purple band along the bottom (not solid red), and the green of the back extends onto the crown (ruby-throated males have gray crown and bright red throat).

Where you'll hear it

Open woodlands, gardens, yards, parks – anywhere with nectar sources. Breeds in deciduous or mixed forests and forest edges across the East, often near openings with flowers. Common around suburban flower gardens, orchards, and in rural meadows that have patches of trees for nesting. During migration, seen in a variety of habitats including coastal dunes, city parks, and farm groves. Winters in southern Mexico through Central America in diverse habitats from gardens to forest edges. Needs flowering plants for nectar and small insects for protein, so habitats with those resources are favored.

Males arrive on breeding territories in early spring (often 1–2 weeks before females) and immediately stake claim to good feeding areas, aggressively chasing intruders. Breeding occurs late spring through summer; females build tiny cup nests on tree branches (often overhanging water). Only females care for the young. By late summer, adults and newly fledged juveniles fatten up for migration, feeding intensely at flowers and feeders (peak hummingbird feeder activity is often August). Fall migration (Aug-Sep) sees them funnel toward the Gulf Coast, with many taking a nonstop flight across the Gulf to Yucatán. On wintering grounds (Oct-Mar), they maintain territories around rich nectar areas. In spring (Feb-Apr), they return north; adult males are usually first to arrive. They have a hyperactive daily routine – visiting hundreds of flowers a day – and in breeding season, males spend much time performing aerial displays and chases in addition to feeding.

Similar species

Black-chinned Hummingbird

This species overlaps slightly in central United States (Texas/Oklahoma) and as a vagrant eastward. Male Black-chinned has a black throat with a thin purple band along the bottom (not solid red), and the green of the back extends onto the crown (Ruby-throated males have gray crown and bright red throat).

Rufous Hummingbird

Primarily a western species but known to wander to the East especially in fall/winter. Male Rufous Hummingbirds are bright rusty-orange on the back and belly with an iridescent orange-red throat.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird sound FAQ

What does a Ruby-throated Hummingbird sound like?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds do not have a true song as many songbirds do. Instead, males perform a courtship display where they swoop in a U-shaped dive in front of a female, which produces a distinctive rapid wing trill and sometimes an audible tail-feather flutter or "chirp" at the bottom of the dive. They also make chittering sounds during aggressive chases. So, their "song" is more of a mechanical and brief chirping associated with flight displays rather than a vocal melody. Listen for the "(wing trill)" phrase.
How do I tell a Ruby-throated Hummingbird from a Black-chinned Hummingbird by sound?
Black-chinned Hummingbird: This species overlaps slightly in central United States (Texas/Oklahoma) and as a vagrant eastward. Male Black-chinned has a black throat with a thin purple band along the bottom (not solid red), and the green of the back extends onto the crown (Ruby-throated males have gray crown and bright red throat).; Female Black-chinned and Ruby-throated are extremely similar – virtually indistinguishable in the field except by range (Black-chinned is more of a western species).; Bill length on Black-chinned tends to be a bit longer and slightly down-curved, but that's hard to judge. If in the East, a female hummingbird is almost certainly Ruby-throated except rare cases..
When is the best time to hear a Ruby-throated Hummingbird?
Males arrive on breeding territories in early spring (often 1–2 weeks before females) and immediately stake claim to good feeding areas, aggressively chasing intruders. Breeding occurs late spring through summer; females build tiny cup nests on tree branches (often overhanging water). Only females care for the young. By late summer, adults and newly fledged juveniles fatten up for migration, feeding intensely at flowers and feeders (peak hummingbird feeder activity is often August). Fall migration (Aug-Sep) sees them funnel toward the Gulf Coast, with many taking a nonstop flight across the Gulf to Yucatán. On wintering grounds (Oct-Mar), they maintain territories around rich nectar areas. In spring (Feb-Apr), they return north; adult males are usually first to arrive. They have a hyperactive daily routine – visiting hundreds of flowers a day – and in breeding season, males spend much time performing aerial displays and chases in addition to feeding.