Magnificent Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird

Eugenes fulgens compared with Selasphorus sasin

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Magnificent Hummingbird Allen's Hummingbird
Scientific Name Eugenes fulgens Selasphorus sasin
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 14.4 cm (5.7 in) 8.1 cm (3.2 in)
Weight 7.81 g (0.28 oz) 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American highland forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Supplements with small … 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

Magnificent Hummingbird only

None

Allen's Hummingbird only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Magnificent Hummingbird

Song

Thin, high-pitched sibilant trill; rapid soft buzzing sustained gently during slow hover near cloud forest flowers.

Allen's Hummingbird

Song

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

Geographic Range & Migration

Magnificent Hummingbird

Found in montane forest and pine-oak woodland from southwestern USA south through Mexico to Honduras. 1,200–3,500 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

Magnificent Hummingbird

Least Concern

Allen's Hummingbird

About These Birds

Magnificent Hummingbird

A large hummingbird (13 cm) found in highlands from the southwestern United States to Panama. Males have a spectacular magenta-purple gorget, dark green body, and black breast. Nectarivore of mountain meadows and pine-oak forests. Known for its dramatic courtship dive displays.

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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