Blue-fronted Lancebill vs Allen's Hummingbird
Doryfera johannae compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-fronted Lancebill | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Doryfera johannae | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.6 cm (4.2 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.540000000000001 g (0.16 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of cloud-forest epiphytes and Ericaceae blooms. Catches small arthropods near flowers for additional protein. | 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
Blue-fronted Lancebill
Sharp, high peep followed by rapid twittering; brief introductory note launching into animated cascade of lighter chips.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-fronted Lancebill
Found in lowland and foothill forests from southern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. Sea level to 1,200 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-fronted Lancebill
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-fronted Lancebill
Dot-eared Coquette: males with elongated tufted black crest; glittering blue-green gorget; bronze-green back; females with rufous crown patch
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Blue-fronted Lancebill
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) with a very long, straight bill. Green plumage with a blue-violet forehead. Found in humid montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 600-1,800 m. Nectarivore specializing in long-tubed flowers. Named for its lance-like bill.
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.