WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Massachusetts?

Adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Photo: David Bird, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Massachusetts in late April, are common by early May, peak in mid August (24% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Massachusetts.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 1-7early May
PeakAug 15-21mid August
Most gone bySep 15-21mid September

Best: mid August. First arrivals late April; most are gone by mid September. Peak: on about 24% of Massachusetts checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maycommon
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Hummingbirds in Massachusetts, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 22-30May 1-7Aug 15-21Sep 15-2124%
0%10%20%30%Ruby-throated HummingbirdJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Massachusetts that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Massachusetts

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Hampshire CountyBest mid August · 2460 checklists that week, 162,423 in all34%
  2. Worcester CountyBest mid August · 1660 checklists that week, 128,594 in all31%
  3. Franklin CountyBest mid August · 504 checklists that week, 41,382 in all31%
  4. Bristol CountyBest mid August · 908 checklists that week, 65,262 in all30%
  5. Berkshire CountyBest mid August · 1629 checklists that week, 92,890 in all28%
  6. Middlesex CountyBest mid August · 4021 checklists that week, 307,511 in all28%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Massachusetts?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Massachusetts in late April, are common by early May, peak in mid August (24% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Massachusetts.
When do hummingbirds leave Massachusetts?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Massachusetts by mid September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late September.
When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Massachusetts?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in mid August, on about 24% of Massachusetts checklists.