Venezuelan Sylph vs Allen's Hummingbird
Aglaiocercus berlepschi compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Venezuelan Sylph | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglaiocercus berlepschi | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.9 cm (4.7 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.0 g (0.18 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Venezuelan Andes cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms. Takes small insects and … | Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Venezuelan Sylph
Rough, buzzy chatter with energetic rhythm; coarse notes delivered rapidly with distinctive raw texture near nest.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Venezuelan Sylph
Endemic to the coastal mountains of north-central Venezuela in cloud forest. 1,200–2,400 m. Resident.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Venezuelan Sylph
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Venezuelan Sylph
Bahama Woodstar: tiny; males with glittering magenta gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted below
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Venezuelan Sylph
A spectacular hummingbird closely related to Long-tailed Sylph, endemic to the coastal mountains of northern Venezuela. Males have long violet-blue tail streamers. Nectarivore of cloud forest. Sometimes considered a subspecies of Long-tailed Sylph. Very limited range.
Allen's Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) breeding along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Males have an orange-red throat and rufous flanks. Closely related to Rufous Hummingbird. Partial migrant; some populations resident on Channel Islands. Named after Thomas Allen.