Buff-tailed Coronet vs Allen's Hummingbird
Boissonneaua flavescens compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buff-tailed Coronet | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boissonneaua flavescens | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 8.033333333333333 g (0.28 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms. Aggressively defends territories; gleans small … | 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
Buff-tailed Coronet
Soft, pure descending whistle; gentle note curving downward smoothly, warm and musical in cloud forest quiet.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Buff-tailed Coronet
Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to Bolivia. 1,600–3,000 m.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Buff-tailed Coronet
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Buff-tailed Coronet
White-bearded Helmetcrest: males with glittering blue-violet gorget; metallic green; white beard; white leg puffs; females plain green
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Buff-tailed Coronet
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Peru at 1,500-3,000 m. Green plumage with a buff-orange tail. Nectarivore of montane forest and edges. Named coronet for the green iridescence on the crown.
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.