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
Song & Call Comparison
Lucifer Hummingbird
Buzzy, sustained trill with monotonous quality; low-pitched continuous vibration with little variation throughout.
Allen's Hummingbird
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
Lucifer Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Lucifer Hummingbird
Dusky Hummingbird: males with iridescent violet gorget; metallic green above; dusky-gray underparts; females green above; spotted
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
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.