Rufous-capped Thornbill vs Allen's Hummingbird
Chalcostigma ruficeps compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-capped Thornbill | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chalcostigma ruficeps | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.6 cm (4.6 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.6666666666666665 g (0.13 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian and Bolivian puna; forages at Chuquiraga and low shrubs. Catches tiny arthropods. | 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-capped Thornbill
Melodic, descending phrase with warm timbre; clear notes stepping down smoothly in relaxed musical progression.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-capped Thornbill
Found on the eastern Andean slope from Ecuador south to Bolivia in lower montane forest. 1,200–2,600 m elevation.
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-capped Thornbill
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-capped Thornbill
Purple-crowned Plovercrest: males with glittering violet crown; metallic green above; white underparts; females green with spotted below
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Rufous-capped Thornbill
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests and páramo from Ecuador to Bolivia at 2,500-4,000 m. Rufous cap and green plumage. Nectarivore of high-altitude shrubs and Puya bromeliads. Often found near treeline in elfin forest.
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.