Glittering-throated Emerald vs Allen's Hummingbird
Chionomesa fimbriata compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Glittering-throated Emerald | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chionomesa fimbriata | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.766666666666667 g (0.17 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … | 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
Glittering-throated Emerald
Buzzy, high-pitched insect-like trill; sustained rapid vibration with minimal melodic content near blossoms.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Glittering-throated Emerald
Widely distributed from Colombia through Amazonia to Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. Resident in varied habitats.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Glittering-throated Emerald
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Glittering-throated Emerald
Green Coucal: greenish iridescent overall; rufous wings; pale buff below; long graduated tail; red eye; greenish gloss distinctive
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Glittering-throated Emerald
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) widely distributed from Colombia through Amazonia to Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. Glittering green throat with white fringes creating a spangled effect. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and open habitats.
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.