Rufous-breasted Sabrewing vs Allen's Hummingbird
Campylopterus hyperythrus compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-breasted Sabrewing | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Campylopterus hyperythrus | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.6 cm (5.0 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.016666666666667 g (0.21 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of tepui cloud forest; feeds at bromeliads and flowering trees. Supplements 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
Song & Call Comparison
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Melodic, ascending scale of clear notes; bright flute-like tones climbing smoothly in pleasant morning song.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Found in montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,000-2,500 m elevation. Resident in Andean cloud forest.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Violaceous Turaco: brilliant violet-purple body; crimson flight feathers; white and red orbital markings; striking contrast plumage
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,000-2,500 m. Green plumage with a rufous breast. Thickened outer primaries. Nectarivore of cloud forest undergrowth, visiting Heliconia flowers.
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.