Lucifer Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird

Calothorax lucifer compared with Selasphorus sasin

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Lucifer Hummingbird Allen's Hummingbird
Scientific Name Calothorax lucifer Selasphorus sasin
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 7.9 cm (3.1 in) 8.1 cm (3.2 in)
Weight 3.4000000000000004 g (0.12 oz) 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz)
Diet Nectarivore specialising in agave and ocotillo blooms in Chihuahuan Desert. Supplements nectar with small insects … Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Lucifer Hummingbird only

None

Allen's Hummingbird only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Lucifer Hummingbird

Song

Buzzy, sustained trill with monotonous quality; low-pitched continuous vibration with little variation throughout.

Allen's Hummingbird

Song

Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.

Geographic Range & Migration

Lucifer Hummingbird

Found in arid habitats from the southwestern United States to Honduras. Breeds in desert canyons; winters in central 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

Least Concern

Lucifer Hummingbird

Least Concern

Allen's Hummingbird

About These Birds

Lucifer Hummingbird

A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in arid habitats from the southwestern United States to Honduras. Males have an iridescent magenta-purple gorget that extends down the throat like a flame. Long, decurved bill. Nectarivore of agave flowers and desert scrub.

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.

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