Hummingbirds in Maine: When They Arrive, What They Eat & How to Attract Them | 207 Vibes

There are few moments in nature more magical than seeing your first hummingbird of the season.

One moment your garden is quiet.

The next...

a tiny emerald blur appears beside a flower.

Hover.

Sip.

Gone.

If you blink, you might miss it.

Every spring, hummingbirds return to Maine after an incredible migration that spans hundreds, and for many, more than a thousand miles. The tiny ruby-throated hummingbird, the species most commonly seen in Maine, somehow finds its way back to the same gardens, feeders, and flowers year after year.

It's one of nature's greatest miracles.

Watching a hummingbird isn't just seeing a bird.

It's watching determination, beauty, and resilience wrapped into something no bigger than your thumb.

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Maine?

Most ruby-throated hummingbirds begin arriving in southern Maine in late April and early May, with northern parts of the state seeing arrivals a little later. They remain throughout the summer before beginning their remarkable journey south in late August and September.

🟢 Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

The Maine hummingbird.

• Arrives in southern Maine in late April or early May.

• Found throughout the state during the summer.

• Males have the brilliant ruby-red throat that flashes in the sunlight.

• Females have a white throat with green upperparts.

• They feed on nectar from flowers and tiny insects.

• They migrate thousands of miles each year, many crossing the Gulf of Mexico.

How to Attract Hummingbirds

If you'd like hummingbirds to visit your yard, they appreciate both flowers and feeders.

Some of their favorites include:

🌺 Bee balm

🌸 Lupines

🌼 Columbine

🌷 Trumpet vine

❤️ Cardinal flower

🌿 Salvia

A simple feeder filled with one part white sugar to four parts water is all they need. Skip the red food coloring. Nature already gave them all the color they need.

🟠 Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

A very rare visitor.

Every year, a handful of Rufous Hummingbirds are spotted in Maine, usually in the fall or even during winter at backyard feeders. They're more common in the western United States, so seeing one in Maine is a real treat for birders.

🟣 Other Rare Visitors

On very rare occasions, birders in Maine have documented:

• Calliope Hummingbird

• Anna's Hummingbird

• Black-chinned Hummingbird

• Broad-tailed Hummingbird

These are considered exceptional sightings rather than birds most people will encounter.

Fun Facts

• A hummingbird's wings can beat 50 to 80 times every second.

• Their heart can beat over 1,000 times per minute while flying.

• They're the only birds that can fly backward.

• Despite weighing less than a penny, they migrate astonishing distances every year.

• Many hummingbirds return to the same backyard feeders and gardens year after year.

Five Wonderful Places to See Hummingbirds in Maine

Coastal Gardens

Many coastal gardens become hummingbird havens during the summer months.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

One of the best places in Maine to enjoy beautifully designed gardens that naturally attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth

A favorite destination for bird lovers, with native plants and excellent birdwatching opportunities.

Your Own Backyard

Sometimes the best place to see a hummingbird is right outside your kitchen window.

Anywhere Flowers Bloom

One of the joys of Maine is that hummingbirds can appear almost anywhere flowers are blooming.

207 Vibes Tip

One of the sweetest signs that summer has truly arrived in Maine isn't on a calendar. It's that magical moment when a tiny emerald flash appears beside your bee balm or salvia. You pause for just a second, watch it hover effortlessly over the flowers, and before you know it, it's gone again. Every hummingbird visit feels like a little gift from nature, reminding us to slow down and notice the beauty that's all around us. 🌺Plant flowers that bloom from spring through late summer. The hummingbirds will thank you, and so will the butterflies, bees, and other pollinators that help keep Maine's gardens thriving.

Photos by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino