Long-billed Starthroat vs Allen's Hummingbird
Heliomaster longirostris compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Long-billed Starthroat | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliomaster longirostris | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.540000000000001 g (0.23 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of lowland and foothill open habitats; visits diverse flowers at forest edges and clearings. … | 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
Long-billed Starthroat
Soft, liquid notes cascading gently; mellow flowing sequence with subtle variation characteristic of Andean forest species.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Long-billed Starthroat
Widespread from southern Mexico through Central America to Bolivia, Brazil, and Trinidad. Prefers open habitats. 0–1,200 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
Long-billed Starthroat
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Long-billed Starthroat
Stripe-breasted Starthroat (alt): tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; females plain green above; spots
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Long-billed Starthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in humid forests from southern Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. Long, slightly decurved bill. Green plumage with a glittering blue-purple throat. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges. Widespread Neotropical species.
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.