Blue-throated Starfrontlet vs Allen's Hummingbird
Coeligena helianthea compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-throated Starfrontlet | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena helianthea | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.775 g (0.24 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Venezuelan Andean cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Brachyotum. Catches small arthropods near … | 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
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Melodic, ascending scale of clear notes; bright flute-like tones climbing smoothly in morning territorial singing.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forests of the eastern and central Andes of Colombia and adjacent Venezuela. 2,000–3,000 m.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Blue-mantled Thornbill: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; blue-metallic mantle; metallic green above; females pale 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
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (14-15 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Colombia at 1,800-3,000 m. Males have a glittering blue throat and iridescent violet-blue forehead. Nectarivore of montane forest and forest edges. One of the most colorful incas.
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.