Gorgeted Sunangel vs Allen's Hummingbird
Heliangelus strophianus compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Gorgeted Sunangel | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliangelus strophianus | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.2 cm (5.2 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.3999999999999995 g (0.19 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean shrublands; hovers at dense Ericaceae clumps. Takes small arthropods gleaned from … | 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
Gorgeted Sunangel
High, thin whistle barely perceptible; delicate sustained note hovering near upper frequency limit of human hearing.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Gorgeted Sunangel
Found on the western Andean slope in Colombia and northwestern Ecuador in cloud forest. 1,600–2,800 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
Gorgeted Sunangel
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Gorgeted Sunangel
Neblina Metaltail: males metallic green above; iridescent violet gorget; white underparts; females green above with pale spotted underparts
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Gorgeted Sunangel
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador at 1,500-2,500 m. Males have a spectacular iridescent gorget with pink and violet hues. Nectarivore of epiphyte-rich cloud forest. Classified as Endangered due to 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.