Golden Starfrontlet vs Allen's Hummingbird
Coeligena eos compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden Starfrontlet | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena eos | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.599999999999999 g (0.23 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian Pacific slope; visits Ericaceae and Heliconia in wet montane forest. Supplements with … | 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
Golden Starfrontlet
Rough, buzzy trill with scratchy edge; coarse sustained notes with raw texture carrying across Andean scrub.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Golden Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forests of northeastern Colombia and adjacent northwestern Venezuela. 1,600–2,800 m. Uncommon.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Golden Starfrontlet
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Golden Starfrontlet
Wedge-tailed Hillstar: males with iridescent blue gorget; metallic green body; wedge-shaped tail; white leg puffs; females plain green
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Golden Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have golden-orange plumage, unusual among Coeligena hummingbirds. Nectarivore of cloud forest. Classified as Endangered due to small range and habitat loss.
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.