Sapphire-vented Puffleg vs Allen's Hummingbird
Eriocnemis luciani compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sapphire-vented Puffleg | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis luciani | 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 | 6.050000000000001 g (0.21 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Peruvian Ericaceae-rich cloud forest. Catches small arthropods from mossy bark 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
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
Melodic, descending whistle with clear timbre; smooth pure tones stepping downward gracefully in high-altitude morning.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
Widespread in high Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 2,400–4,200 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
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
Rufous-webbed Brilliant: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 2,500-3,800 m. Green plumage with sapphire-blue vent and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges. Relatively common along the Andes.
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.