Costa's Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird
Calypte costae compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Costa's Hummingbird | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calypte costae | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.9 cm (3.5 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.4000000000000004 g (0.12 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mojave Desert scrub, favouring desert lavender and sage. Supplements nectar with insects and … | 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
None
Costa's Hummingbird only
Allen's Hummingbird only
Song & Call Comparison
Costa's Hummingbird
Melodic, flute-like ascending scale; smooth bright notes climbing steadily in cheerful morning territorial delivery.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Costa's Hummingbird
Found in arid western North America from California to Mexico. Breeds in desert scrub; some populations resident year-round.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Costa's Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Costa's Hummingbird
Crowned Woodnymph: males with brilliant iridescent violet crown; glittering green gorget; metallic green above; 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
Costa's Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) of arid western North America from California to Mexico. Males have a brilliant iridescent purple crown and gorget that extends along the sides of the neck. Nectarivore of desert scrub and gardens. Thrives in extreme desert heat.
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.