Glittering Starfrontlet vs Allen's Hummingbird
Coeligena orina compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Glittering Starfrontlet | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena orina | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.5 cm (5.7 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.95 g (0.25 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Colombian cloud forest; forages at dense Ericaceae patches. Catches small flies near … | 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 Starfrontlet
Sharp, emphatic rattle with forceful onset; rapid dry notes erupting suddenly during active territorial confrontation.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Glittering Starfrontlet
Known from a single locality in western Colombia (Farallones de Citará) at 2,400–3,000 m. Critically endangered.
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 Starfrontlet
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Glittering Starfrontlet
White-tailed Hillstar: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white tail patches; 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
Glittering Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) endemic to the western Andes of Colombia at 3,100-3,500 m. Males have a glittering golden-green forehead. Nectarivore of cloud forest. Critically Endangered due to extremely small known range in the Farallones del Citará.
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.