Green-fronted Lancebill vs Allen's Hummingbird

Doryfera ludovicae compared with Selasphorus sasin

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Green-fronted Lancebill Allen's Hummingbird
Scientific Name Doryfera ludovicae Selasphorus sasin
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 11.5 cm (4.5 in) 8.1 cm (3.2 in)
Weight 5.95 g (0.21 oz) 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz)
Diet Nectarivore probing epiphyte flowers and bromeliads with long straight bill in montane forest. Supplements with … Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Green-fronted Lancebill only

None

Allen's Hummingbird only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Green-fronted Lancebill

Song

Rough, raspy chattering with energetic rhythm; series of coarse notes delivered rapidly near active foraging territories.

Allen's Hummingbird

Song

Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.

Geographic Range & Migration

Green-fronted Lancebill

Found in Andean cloud forests from Costa Rica through Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru to Bolivia. 1,200–2,400 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

Least Concern

Green-fronted Lancebill

Least Concern

Allen's Hummingbird

About These Birds

Green-fronted Lancebill

A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) with a remarkably long, straight bill (40 mm). Green plumage with a violet-blue forehead. Found in Andean cloud forests from Costa Rica to Bolivia at 800-2,500 m. Named lancebill for its dagger-like bill used to pierce the base of long tubular flowers.

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.

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