Rufous-shafted Woodstar vs Allen's Hummingbird
Chaetocercus jourdanii compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-shafted Woodstar | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chaetocercus jourdanii | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.0 cm (2.8 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.26 g (0.11 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Trinidad and northern South America, hovering at bromeliads and Heliconia. Supplements diet with … | 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-shafted Woodstar
Deep, resonant single note with striking boldness; powerful tone ringing out clearly from exposed prominent perch.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Trinidad at 500-2,500 m elevation. Resident in montane forest edges and gardens.
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-shafted Woodstar
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
Calliope Hummingbird (endemic): tiny; males with glittering magenta gorget; metallic green above; females plain 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
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Trinidad at 500-2,500 m. Males have rufous wing-shafts visible in flight and a purple gorget. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and open country. Named after its rufous wing feather shafts.
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.