Hoary Puffleg vs Allen's Hummingbird
Haplophaedia lugens compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Hoary Puffleg | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haplophaedia lugens | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.9 cm (5.1 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.9 g (0.24 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Ecuadorian cloud forest; forages at diverse Ericaceae blooms. Gleans 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
Hoary Puffleg
Sharp, crackling chatter with energetic delivery; rapid dry notes tumbling quickly in vigorous territorial exchange.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Hoary Puffleg
Found on the Pacific slope from Panama south through Colombia and Ecuador in cloud forest. 800–2,200 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
Hoary Puffleg
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Hoary Puffleg
Wedge-billed Hummingbird: tiny; males with iridescent blue gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; wedge-shaped bill; spots
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Hoary Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in cloud forests of the western Andes of Colombia and Ecuador at 1,200-2,400 m. Dark green plumage with white leg puffs. Nectarivore of wet, mossy cloud forest. Classified as Near Threatened due to Chocó forest habitat loss.
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.