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
Song & Call Comparison
Magnificent Hummingbird
Thin, high-pitched sibilant trill; rapid soft buzzing sustained gently during slow hover near cloud forest flowers.
Allen's Hummingbird
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
Magnificent Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Magnificent Hummingbird
Esmeraldas Woodstar (alt): tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females 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
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.