Black-breasted Puffleg vs Allen's Hummingbird
Eriocnemis nigrivestis compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-breasted Puffleg | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis nigrivestis | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.449999999999999 g (0.16 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean montane Ericaceae and epiphyte flowers; fluffy leg puffs visible during hover. Gleans … | 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
Black-breasted Puffleg
Soft, sustained hum barely audible; extremely faint low-frequency sound audible only at very close range.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-breasted Puffleg
Endemic to the western Andes of Ecuador, primarily the Pichincha and Imbabura regions. 2,800–3,600 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
Black-breasted Puffleg
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-breasted Puffleg
Violet-fronted Brilliant: males with glittering violet forehead; metallic green above; white belly; females green above; 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
Black-breasted Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to the northwestern Andes of Ecuador at 2,500-3,200 m. Males have a black breast and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Critically Endangered with fewer than 250 individuals estimated remaining.
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.