Golden-breasted Puffleg vs Allen's Hummingbird
Eriocnemis mosquera compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-breasted Puffleg | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis mosquera | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.6 cm (5.7 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.625 g (0.20 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian western Andes; visits dense Ericaceae blooms at mid-elevations. Takes small insects. | 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
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Sharp, emphatic chip note; single clean staccato sound repeated at intervals from prominent perch near nectar flowers.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Found in high Andean páramo and upper cloud forest from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,800–4,000 m elevation.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Green-crowned Brilliant: males with glittering ruby gorget; metallic green crown; white postocular stripe; 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
Golden-breasted Puffleg
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have an iridescent golden breast and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges. An attractive and relatively conspicuous puffleg.
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.