Hummingbirds are a beloved bird species found across the United States during the warmer months of the year. Their small size, lightning-fast movements, and ability to hover in midair make them a joy to watch. Many people enjoy seeing hummingbirds visit their gardens to drink nectar from flowers and feeders. This leads some to wonder – do hummingbirds actually nest and breed in Massachusetts?
Hummingbird Species in Massachusetts
Before answering whether hummingbirds nest in the state, it helps to know which species are found in Massachusetts. According to the Mass Audubon society, three types of hummingbirds are commonly seen during summer in Massachusetts:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
Of these, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the most widespread and frequently observed hummingbird in the eastern United States. Rufous Hummingbirds are vagrants from the west coast that sometimes appear in Massachusetts during migration. Calliope Hummingbirds are also western species that are rarely spotted in the state.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. This species spends the winter in Central America and migrates north to the United States and Canada to breed during the summer. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a bright emerald green on its back and white underneath with an iridescent ruby-red throat in the males. Females lack the ruby throat patch.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically arrive in Massachusetts in mid-May and are present throughout the summer into September for migration south. These tiny birds have an impressive migration crossing the Gulf of Mexico each spring and fall as they travel between their wintering and breeding grounds.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is a feisty western species known for being territorial. This hummingbird breeds across the northwestern United States and Canada during the summer. In the fall and winter, Rufous Hummingbirds migrate south along the Pacific Coast or sometimes eastward around the Rocky Mountains. They are scarce but regular migrants through Massachusetts, usually seen in the fall from late August through October with a few lingering into November. An occasional Rufous Hummingbird may spend the winter in the state as well.
The males are brightly colored with an iridescent orange-red throat and greenish sides. Females are greener overall with small orange spots at the throat. Distinguishing a Rufous from a Ruby-throated can be tricky but focusing on the brighter orange throat color of breeding males helps. Rufous Hummingbirds also produce a distinct buzzingtrill song.
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird is North America’s smallest breeding bird species. It is a highland species that nests in the mountains of the western United States. In migration they fan out across the country with a few reports each year along the Atlantic coast. Massachusetts sees a handful of reports annually, mostly in fall and early winter from October through December.
Male Calliope Hummingbirds have brightly iridescent throats that shift between magenta and purple depending on the light. They can be differentiated from Ruby-throats by their significantly smaller size and streaked throats versus a solid red throat. Any reports require documentation to confirm this rare species in the state.
Do Hummingbirds Nest in Massachusetts?
Of the three hummingbird species found in Massachusetts, only the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is known to nest and breed in the state. Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds do not breed in Massachusetts and records represent individuals wandering east during migration.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Nesting
During the summer breeding season, male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return first to Massachusetts in order to establish nesting territories. Females arrive approximately one week later and select a mate. Ruby-throats often use the same territory year after year if suitable habitat remains.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird nests are small, cup-shaped structures made of soft plant down, spider silk, and lichens bound together with strands of plant material. Nests are difficult to spot as they are only about 2 inches wide and may be tucked away in trees, shrubs, or vines anywhere from 3 to 50 feet above ground.
Females lay two pea-sized white eggs and incubate them for 12-14 days. The chicks hatch blind and mostly naked but develop quickly on a diet of regurgitated nectar and small insects provided by the female. After about 3 weeks, the young hummingbirds are ready to leave the nest and fend for themselves.
By late summer, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds begin migrating south again, leaving Massachusetts and the rest of their breeding range behind for the warmer climates of Mexico and Central America where they will spend the winter.
Ideal Nesting Habitat
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are found statewide across Massachusetts during summer but are most abundant in parks, orchards, and suburban gardens that provide ideal breeding habitat. Elements that make a good nesting area include:
- Nectar sources – Native flowers and nectar feeders provide food for adults and chicks.
- Insects – Found in meadows and along water for essential protein.
- Water – Nearby clean water sources for drinking and bathing.
- Nest sites – Trees, shrubs, and vines in open or semi-open areas.
- Perches – Bare branches and telephone wires for resting between feedings.
Providing these habitat features in your yard or garden can help attract nesting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Backyard Nesting Behaviors
In Massachusetts, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nest from May through August before migrating south again for winter. During this time, you may observe interesting behaviors as they build nests and raise chicks:
- Aerial courtship displays as males dive and climb to attract females.
- Males chasing other males from their territory as they compete for mates.
- Females gathering spider silk and lichens for nest materials.
- A female hummingbird sitting on a nest incubating eggs.
- Increased visits to flowers and feeders as the female seeks food for chicks.
- A mother hummingbird feeding newly fledged chicks with regurgitation.
Observing a female hummingbird building a nest or feeding hatchlings in your yard is a special wildlife experience that demonstrates these tiny birds do indeed breed in Massachusetts!
Population and Conservation
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a large breeding population estimated at over 7 million across the eastern United States and Canada. However, threats on their wintering grounds and migration routes may impact breeding numbers in the future. Providing habitat and reducing hazards can help hummingbird conservation:
- Pesticides – Avoid spraying or use natural options that won’t harm pollinators and insects hummingbirds feed on.
- Windows – Apply decals or screens to make windows visible so hummingbirds avoid flying into them.
- Habitat loss – Plant native flowering species and preserve meadows and woodland edges.
- Cats – Keep pet cats indoors to reduce predation on nestlings and adults.
Participating in citizen science surveys such as the Mass Audubon Hummingbird Survey also aids in monitoring the population. With some helpful conservation actions, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will continue brightening Massachusetts summers with their nesting activities for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do hummingbirds nest in Massachusetts?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nest throughout Massachusetts wherever suitable habitat exists. They often nest in the branches of deciduous trees, shrubs, and vines 3-50 feet above ground. Favorite nest sites include maples, elms, dogwoods, birches, and multiflora rose bushes.
What time of year do hummingbirds nest in Massachusetts?
Nesting season aligns with the time Ruby-throated Hummingbirds spend in Massachusetts each summer. They usually arrive in May, with peak breeding in June and July. Some nesting activity may continue into August before migration south for the winter begins.
How can I attract nesting hummingbirds?
You can make your yard more attractive to nesting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds by providing nectar flowers, nesting sites, water sources, and not using pesticides. Good nectar plants include bee balm, trumpet vine, and native woodland wildflowers. Keep dead trees or set up special hummingbird nesting boxes to give females nesting site options.
How many broods do hummingbirds have in Massachusetts?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically raise one brood per breeding season in Massachusetts. However, they may produce a second brood if the first is lost early in nesting season. The female alone builds the nest, incubates eggs, and cares for the chicks.
Do male or female hummingbirds incubate the eggs?
Only female hummingbirds incubate the eggs and care for the young. Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds play no role in choosing nest sites, building the nest, incubating eggs, or feeding the chicks. Their key contribution is mating with females to fertilize the eggs.
Conclusion
Of the three hummingbird species that pass through Massachusetts, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only ones known to regularly nest and breed in the state. These tiny birds build cup-shaped nests high in trees and lay two small white eggs that females incubate for about two weeks. The hatchlings are fed regurgitated nectar and insects by the female until they fledge after about 3 weeks in the nest.
Attracting and observing nesting hummingbirds provides an exciting opportunity to witness the breeding behaviors of these energetic birds firsthand. With some thoughtful habitat management, you may be rewarded with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nesting happily in your own backyard!