Hummingbird Season Starts in New England, Backyards Ready with Bird Feeders

In preparation for the return of the hummingbird season this spring, homeowners in New England have equipped their backyards with bird feeders.

Hummingbirds of New England

The most prevalent hummingbird in New England, the ruby-throated, makes its first appearance there in April. The migration of a different bird, a woodpecker known as the yellow-bellied sapsucker, is normally followed by hummingbirds.

Although hummingbirds enjoy the sap's sweetness, their beaks are unable to pierce tree bark. Hummingbirds can access the sap thanks to the sapsuckers' ability to pierce the bark. Hummingbirds on the move are particularly drawn to maple sap, which is also used to make maple syrup.

Hummingbirds primarily consume flowers, so it should come as no surprise that by late May or early June, there will be an increasing amount of activity from these birds.

The rufous hummingbird is the other species of common hummingbird in New England. Compared to other species, they breed further north.

Although the birds can be seen all over the country, their migration path concentrates them over New England. Every migration season, they travel between Vermont and Florida.

To take advantage of the migration and hopefully attract some feathered friends to spend their summers in their backyards, hummingbird enthusiasts are setting up their bird feeders.

By September, the birds begin to slowly leave New England, and by Halloween, they are typically far south, NBC10 Boston reports.

Migrating Hummingbirds

Many hummingbirds remain for the winter in Mexico and Central America before moving further north to breed in the southern and western states of the US as early as February and farther north in the springtime. Typically, males are the first to arrive in the spring.

Some, however, remain in places such as California or the upper Pacific coast and do not migrate.

Hummingbirds are sensitive and responsive to changes in the length of daylight and the number of easily accessible flowers, nectar, and insects, although opinions on what triggers the start of migration vary among birders. Migration behaviors are also influenced by instinct.

A hummingbird's heart can beat up to 1,260 times per minute while flying, and its wings can flap 15 to 80 times per second.

A hummingbird will typically gain 25-40% of its body weight before beginning its long journey across land and water in order to sustain this high energy level.

They fly by themselves, frequently following routes they have taken earlier in their lives, and they fly low, somewhere above tree tops or bodies of water. Hummingbird juveniles must fly without parental guidance, according to Hummingbird Central.

Hungry Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds fly during the day when there are more abundant nectar sources, such as flowers. according to the Adirondack Council. The birds can see food sources along the way and stop at them by flying low. They are also masters at using tailwinds to travel farther and faster while using up less body fat and energy. Stops along the way could be for a few minutes or several days at better places with plenty of food.