Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) are one of the most common and widely recognized hummingbird species in North America. They are best known for the males’ brilliant red throat feathers, which give the species its name. Though small in stature, Ruby-throats have a surprisingly loud and complex vocal repertoire. Their various chirps, squeaks, and whistles allow them to effectively stake their claim over feeding territories and attract potential mates. In this article, we will explore the different vocalizations of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and what each sound communicates. Understanding hummingbird vocalizations provides insight into their behavior and social dynamics.
Chirp
The most common Ruby-throated Hummingbird sound is a simple chirp. Both males and females utilize the chirp, though the pitch and frequency differs between the sexes. A male’s chirp is a single high-pitched nasal note around 6-12 kHz in frequency. It sounds like a short “cheep” or “meep.” Females have a lower-pitched less shrill chirp at 3-6 kHz.
Chirps are used in a variety of social interactions. Males chirp frequently while perched or feeding to claim their territory or attract females. The chirps let other males know the area is occupied. Females use chirps to communicate with their fledglings or signal their mate. Chirps are often strung together into a sequence to form more complex vocalizations.
High-Speed Chatter
When perched near a feeder or food source, male hummingbirds may produce a very rapid series of staccato chirps termed “high-speed chatter.” This longer vocalization sounds like a fast series of chips or brief whistles. The males chatter at a rate of about 20 notes per second.
High-speed chatter serves to lay claim over a feeding territory and drive off intruders. The rapid chirping loudly announces the male’s presence as he aggressively guards his food source. The rate of notes per second varies based on how aggressively the male is behaving. Faster chattering coincides with increased aggressive displays like vocal fencing or chasing.
Squeaks
In addition to chirps, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also emit squeaks. These are sharp “seep” notes with an instantly recognizable whining quality. Squeaks are often paired with aggressive displays as a male or female hummingbird defends a food source or nest.
During a territorial dispute, a hummingbird may vocalize with agitated squeaking while chasing an intruder or engaging in aerial disputes. The squeaks communicate the bird’s state of aggressive arousal. Females also emit squeaks near the nest to warn intruders away. Squeaks are sharply louder than chirps, helping transmit the hummingbird’s irritation and escalating aggression.
Whistles
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have the unique ability to produce clear whistles with their voices. As part of their courtship routine, males fly in repeated arcs 10-100 feet in the air above a perched female. At the apex of each ascent, the male makes a loud descending whistle note lasting up to a second.
The thin drawn-out whistle starts at a high 8 kHz pitch before rapidly dropping in frequency. Regional dialects occur, with some males making a two-part whistle. The distinctive whistles can be heard up to 100 meters away. This singing display advertises the male’s presence and fitness in hopes of attracting a mate.
Wing Sounds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird wings beat incredibly fast, up to 80 times per second. The wings produce a high-pitched humming, whirring, or buzzing sound as the bird flies. The pitch varies based on wing speed.
During a fast forward flight, the wings generate a higher E note near the limit of human hearing. As the hummingbird slows and hovers near a flower, the pitch drops to a lower C note as the wings beat slower. These changing frequencies are part of the characteristic hummingbird hum. The wing noise serves no social purpose but is an unavoidable product of the rapid aerodynamics.
Tail Feather Sounds
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also vocalize with specialized tail feathers during courtship displays. Rapid side to side motions generate a loud popping or buzzing trill unique to hummingbirds.
The outer tail feathers have stiff shafts that snap together above the tail like a finger cymbal. The male positions himself in front of a female and quickly oscillates his tail back and forth to produce the mechanical trill. The pulsing buzz helps get a female’s attention and underscores his courtship.
Calls of Young
Ruby-throated Hummingbird fledglings beg for food from their mothers with unique call notes. When hungry, nestlings make a sustained high-pitched whistle or sharp cheep. These calls guide the female to the nest with food.
Once outside the nest, young hummingbirds follow their mother and continue making periodic cheeps. At each cheep the female stops and feeds her young. These begging vocalizations form an important communication method between mother and offspring as she raises the chicks.
Conclusion
For a bird so small, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds make a remarkable array of sounds with their voice, wings and tail feathers. Chirps, squeaks, whistles, and buzzing flight hum all play a role in essential behaviors like claiming territory, attracting mates, and defending resources. Next time you hear the energetic buzz of a hovering hummingbird, listen more closely to detect its diverse vocal repertoire beneath the whirring wings. Understanding hummingbird vocalizations provides insight into the daily dramas and social interactions of these captivating birds.
References
Scientific Papers
Clark, C.J. (2009). Courtship dives of Anna’s hummingbird offer insights into flight performance limits. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276(1670), 3047-3052.
Feo, T.J. & Clark, C.J. (2010). The displays and sonations of the black-chinned hummingbird (Trochilus alexandri). The Auk, 127(4), 787-796.
Miller, H. & Inouye, D.W. (1983). Roles of the wing whistle in the territorial behaviour of male broad-tailed hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus). Animal Behaviour, 31(3), 689-700.
Books
Clark, C.J. & Dudley, R. (2020). Sounds and communication of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. In: Hummingbird Communication and Behavior. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Weidensaul, S. (1999). Living on hummingbird time: Longevity of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. In: Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Websites
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/id
Hummingbird Calls and Vocalizations, The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/hummingbird-calls-and-vocalizations-386584