Western Emerald vs Allen's Hummingbird
Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Western Emerald | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.675 g (0.09 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of western Colombian and Ecuadorian forest. Supplements diet with small arthropods caught near blossoms. | Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Western Emerald
Melodic, ascending phrase with hopeful character; smooth pure tones rising in clear musical progression at dawn.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Western Emerald
Found from Panama to Peru along the western Andean foothills. Resident in forest edges and gardens at low to mid elevations.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Western Emerald
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Western Emerald
White-chested Emerald: males with iridescent green gorget; metallic green above; white chest; females green above; spotted white below
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Western Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found from Panama to Peru in western Andean foothills. Bright emerald-green plumage with dark tail. Nectarivore of forest edges and gardens. Closely related to other Chlorostilbon emeralds. A Chocó and western Andean species.
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.