Hummingbirds are a beloved sign of spring and summer in Massachusetts. These tiny, colorful birds fly hundreds or even thousands of miles from their winter homes in Central America and Mexico to spend the warmer months breeding and feeding in Massachusetts.
Timing their migration precisely is crucial for hummingbirds. To take full advantage of the seasonal abundance of flower nectar in Massachusetts, hummingbirds must arrive after spring blooms begin, but before the peak flowering period ends. So when exactly should you expect to see these flying jewels in your Massachusetts garden or yard?
Arrival and Departure Dates
Research shows that most ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive in Massachusetts in early to mid May. The earliest recorded arrival dates are typically around May 1st to May 5th along the southern coast of Massachusetts. Birds continue trickling in through late May farther north and west.
Peak hummingbird activity occurs in June and July as the birds breed and take advantage of plentiful nectar resources. Numbers start to decline in August and September as flowers become less abundant. Most hummingbirds depart by late September, with some stragglers remaining into early October.
Here are the key time periods for hummingbirds in Massachusetts:
- Early Arrivals: Early May along south coastal Massachusetts
- Peak Arrival Period: Mid to late May statewide
- Nesting Period: May through August, with most activity in June/July
- Peak Activity Period: June and July
- Departure Period: August through late September/early October
These time frames can vary slightly year to year depending on weather patterns and other factors. But in general, mid-May through September is considered hummingbird season in Massachusetts.
Arrival Depends on Spring’s Progression
What triggers hummingbirds to start migrating north in the spring? And what causes the variation in arrival dates across different parts of Massachusetts?
Research shows that hummingbirds don’t rely simply on the calendar date. Instead, the timing of their migration is closely tied to environmental cues that signal the progression of spring.
Some key factors that may prompt hummingbirds to head north include:
- Photoperiod: Increasing daylight hours
- Warmer temperatures
- Changes in food sources: Availability of nectar from blooming flowers and trees
When hummingbirds arrive in a given area depends largely on when these seasonal changes occur there. Along the warmer southern Massachusetts coast, the spring season starts earlier than in the colder western and northern inland regions. So coastal areas see earlier hummingbird arrivals.
The timing of spring also varies from year to year in a single location. In years when winter lingers longer, flowering is delayed, which likely delays hummingbird migration too. Conversely, an early spring means earlier arrivals.
Paying attention to natural events in your area is a great way to make local predictions about when to expect hummingbirds. Blooming red maples, flowering ornamental trees, and early spring wildflowers are common heralds of hummingbird arrivals.
Other Factors Affecting Arrival Time
A few other factors may play a role in migration timing:
- Age – Adult males tend to arrive before females and immature birds
- Weather – Storms or cold snaps may temporarily suppress migration
- Region of origin – Birds that winter farther south migrate later
But in general, the progression of seasons drives hummingbird migration most strongly, causing variation across locations and years.
Offering Early Nectar
With hummingbirds arriving in Massachusetts as early as the first week of May some years, you may wish to make your feeders accessible that early. Here are some tips:
- By late April, start watching for natural signs that migration is imminent, like blooming maples and shrubs.
- Get feeders up and filled by early May at the latest. Use a nectar mix of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
- Be ready to clean and refill feeders every few days, even if no birds visit at first.
- Have natural food sources like flowering plants available too.
- Expect to see the first hummingbird activity by mid-May, especially if spring is early.
With a properly prepared habitat, you’ll be ready to welcome Massachusetts’ smallest returning migrants back to your home.
Predicting Departure Dates
Just as environmental cues trigger migration northward, they also prompt hummingbirds to head back south at summer’s end. Declining daylight, cooler nights, and decreasing flower abundance signal that it’s time to migrate.
Here are signs that hummingbird departure is imminent in your area:
- Less frequent visits to your feeders
- Flowers and nectar plants drying up
- Drop in nighttime temperatures
- Later dawns and earlier sunsets
Young birds and females tend to depart before adult males. Most migration happens at night, so you may noticeempty feeders first thing in the morning as evidence that more birds have headed out.
With colder weather approaching, hummingbirds know they must move on to warmer climates. While the exact departure dates vary, most Massachusetts hummingbirds will be on their way to their southern wintering grounds by early October.
Extending the Hummingbird Season
If you enjoy observing hummingbirds and want to provide for them as long as possible, here are some tips to extend the hummingbird season in your yard:
- Keep feeders clean, filled, and accessible into October
- Plant late-blooming nectar sources like bee balm, jewelweed, and red salvia
- Choose more cold-tolerant plant varieties to delay frost damage
- Provide shrubs and trees as shelter from bad weather
- Supplement with artificial nectar when flower nectar is scarce
With some planning, you can prolong the colorful spectacle and daily visits from these energetic migrants right up until their departure for warmer lands.
Expected Hummingbird Species
While over 300 hummingbird species exist worldwide, only a few commonly nest in Massachusetts each summer. Here are the likely species you’ll encounter and when:
| Species | Primary Season |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | May through September |
| Rufous Hummingbird | August through early October |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | May through September |
The ruby-throat is the only species that regularly breeds in Massachusetts. Rufous and black-chinned hummingbirds are western species that occasionally wander east during migration.
Rare sightings of other species like Anna’s, Costa’s, or even buff-bellied hummingbirds may occur, but these are very uncommon.
Identifying Hummingbirds
Male ruby-throats are unmistakable with their bright red throat, but females and immatures are often confused with other species. Here are some ID tips:
- Ruby-throated – Small with a straight black bill. Adults have a distinctive ruby red throat (males) or white throat with dusky spots (females). Broad tail with corners squared off.
- Rufous – Small with slightly decurved black bill. Males have a bright cinnamon-red back and belly. Broad tail with rounded corners.
- Black-chinned – Nearly identical to ruby-throat but has a purple-black throat patch (males) or dark spots (females). Slightly decurved bill.
Observing the fine distinctions around bill shape, tail shape, and plumage patches helps distinguish between species.
Preparing Your Yard for Hummingbirds
To make your yard as attractive as possible to migrating hummingbirds, keep these habitat tips in mind:
Food
- Set up feeders with fresh nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) by early May
- Plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers that bloom from spring through fall
- Include plants like bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet creeper, and native honeysuckles
- Change nectar every 2-3 days to avoid spoilage
- Clean feeders thoroughly at least once a month
Water
- Provide a shallow fountain, mister, or birdbath for drinking and bathing
- Place perches nearby for rest stops
- Change water every few days to keep it clean
Shelter
- Plant trees and shrubs that provide shelter from wind, rain, and predators
- Leave up dead trees and branches for perching
- Set up an umbrella near feeders for temporary cover
- Provide nesting materials like pet hair, moss, or cotton
By meeting hummingbirds’ key habitat needs, you can create an oasis that invites them to stay and refuel on their remarkable migratory journey.
Significance of Hummingbird Migration
The arrival of hummingbirds in Massachusetts each spring is a wondrous wildlife spectacle and a sign that winter is over. Here are some reasons why hummingbird migration captures our imagination:
- They travel incredibly long distances – thousands of miles between their winter and summer ranges
- They fly nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico up to 500 miles!
- They navigate with amazing precision back to the same breeding sites each year
- Their metabolism and energy needs during migration are astounding
- They play a vital role as pollinators for wildflowers, trees, and crops
- Seeing them signals the changing seasons and rebirth of local ecosystems
Weighing just a few grams, these tiny travelers display one of nature’s most incredible feats of endurance. Welcoming them back each spring is a special experience.
Threats Facing Migrating Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds face many challenges during migration, including:
- Habitat loss, especially loss of food sources and resting spots along migration routes
- Climate change causing timing mismatches between birds’ arrivals and nectar availability
- Collisions with buildings and structures during migration
- Pesticide use reducing insect prey populations
- Extreme weather events like storms, cold snaps, and drought
Home gardeners can help counter these threats by providing stopover habitat with food, shelter, and water in their yards.
Enjoying Hummingbirds in Massachusetts
Watching ruby-throats buzzing around your yard is one of the joys of summer. Here are some ways to get the most out of hummingbird season:
- Put up feeders in early May before any arrivals
- Sit quietly near flowers and watch for hummingbird visits
- Snap photos of them at feeders and in flight
- Identify hummingbird calls and chipping sounds
- Keep a journal or log of first sightings and daily activity
- Observe their nesting behaviors throughout summer
- Plant a diversity of red, orange, pink, and purple nectar flowers
- Install feeders in different locations to observe territorial behaviors
- Provide drippers, misters or a small fountain for bathing
With a little planning to provide habitat, you’ll be rewarded with up-close views of these energetic migrants visiting your home during their epic seasonal journey.
Fascinating Hummingbird Facts
Here are some amazing facts about the biology and behavior of hummingbirds:
- Their wings can beat up to 200 times per second!
- They’re the only bird that can fly backwards
- They have incredibly fast metabolisms and feed every 10-15 minutes
- They consume up to 2-3 times their body weight in nectar daily
- Their long tongue sticks out to retrieve nectar
- They bathe frequently by fluttering in wet leaves or near mist
- They can torpor or lower their body temperature to conserve energy
- They are fierce defenders of feeders and flowers in their territory
- They build tiny nests out of moss, lichen, and spiderwebs
Understanding a bit about hummingbird biology helps explain some of their fascinating behaviors.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Facts
- They migrate thousands of miles between Central America and Eastern North America
- Males arrive in Massachusetts up to two weeks before females
- Females build a nest, lay eggs, and raise the young alone
- Their nests are made of soft plant down and spider silk and are about the size of a walnut
- Eggs hatch in about two weeks and young leave the nest in three weeks
- Adults eat nectar and small insects and spiders
- Their tongues extend more than their bill length to reach nectar
- They are aerial masters capable of sustained hovering and flying backwards
Ruby-throats are the only breeding hummingbird species found regularly in Massachusetts.
Conclusion
Part of the magic of spring in Massachusetts is the return of hummingbirds to backyards and gardens. Paying attention to the natural cues around you can provide helpful clues for when to expect the arrivals of these tiny travelers in your area. Preparing your habitat in early May and keeping feeders active into October will welcome them throughout their stay. Taking time to observe and learn about hummingbirds this season will give you a deeper appreciation for their amazing migratory feats and behaviors.
