Hummingbirds are seasonal residents of Massachusetts, using the state as their summer home during the breeding season. These tiny, migratory birds arrive each spring, bringing their distinctive buzzing flight to backyards, parks, and woodlands. They rely on the abundance of nectar and insects available during the warmer months before undertaking a long journey south for the winter. This annual presence allows residents to observe one of the smallest and most acrobatic birds in North America.
Species Found in Massachusetts
The vast majority of hummingbirds seen in Massachusetts are the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris), the only species that regularly nests and breeds in the eastern United States. Males are identified by their iridescent emerald-green back and a bright, shimmering ruby-red throat patch (gorget), contrasting with a white chest. Females share the green upper parts but lack the brilliant red throat, instead displaying subdued greenish-gray or white throat and underparts.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the smallest breeding bird in Massachusetts, measuring three to four inches in length and weighing less than a penny. They favor diverse habitats, including open woodlands, forest edges, suburban gardens, and urban parks, provided a sufficient supply of nectar-rich flowers and small insects is available. While the Ruby-throated species is common, sightings of other hummingbirds (such as the Rufous or Calliope) are extremely rare accidental visitors, usually spotted only during late fall migration.
Annual Migration Schedule
Hummingbirds are Neotropical migrants, wintering in Central America and southern Mexico. They often cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single, non-stop flight on their way north. The first arrivals in Massachusetts are typically males, who return to establish breeding territories between late April and early May, often preceding the blooming of native flowers.
Females arrive shortly after the males, remaining in the state throughout the summer to breed and raise one or two broods. The departure window begins in late summer, with most hummingbirds leaving Massachusetts between late August and mid-September. Males usually depart first, followed by females and juveniles who linger to build up fat reserves for their long journey south.
Creating a Hummingbird Habitat
To attract these visitors, provide supplementary feeding stations and natural nectar sources. Feeder nectar should be a simple solution of one part refined white sugar dissolved in four parts water. Avoid adding red dye, honey, molasses, or artificial sweeteners, as these can harm the birds’ health.
Feeder cleanliness is paramount, requiring thorough cleaning at least once or twice a week (or more frequently in hot weather) to prevent mold growth. Feeder placement in a visible but shaded area reduces the risk of the nectar spoiling quickly.
Natural feeding options should focus on plants with bright, tubular flowers adapted to the hummingbird’s long bill. Prioritizing red, orange, and deep pink blooms helps catch the eye of a passing hummingbird, establishing the yard as a reliable stopover location. Excellent choices for a Massachusetts garden include:
- Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Various types of Salvia and Columbine, which provide continuous nectar throughout the season.