Black-chinned Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-chinned Hummingbird | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Archilochus alexandri | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.5 cm (3.3 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.6399999999999997 g (0.13 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Generalist nectarivore visiting a wide variety of western North American flowers. Gleans insects and spiders … | Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Rapid, animated twittering with bright quality; light staccato notes cascading freely in cheerful sequence.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Found in western North America from British Columbia to Mexico. Breeds in open woodland; winters in western Mexico.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-chinned Hummingbird
White-eared Hummingbird: males with brilliant violet-blue gorget; metallic green above; white postocular stripe; females green; spotted
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Black-chinned Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in western North America from British Columbia to Mexico. Males have a black chin with iridescent purple border. Nectarivore of open woodland, gardens, and desert oases. Common at feeders across the western US during breeding season.
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.