Blue-throated Mountain-gem vs Allen's Hummingbird
Lampornis clemenciae compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-throated Mountain-gem | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis clemenciae | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.7 cm (5.8 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 7.25 g (0.26 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of US and Mexican highland forest; visits diverse flowers at medium to high elevation. … | 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
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Rough, nasal chatter with emphatic delivery; series of coarse buzzy notes audible from considerable distance.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Found from the mountains of southern Arizona south through Mexico to Honduras in pine-oak forest. 1,400–3,500 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
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Calliope Hummingbird (alt): males with iridescent blue gorget; metallic green body; white pectoral tufts; females green; 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
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in mountain canyons of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Males have a brilliant blue throat gorget. The largest hummingbird breeding in the US. Nectarivore of mountain meadows and garden feeders. Known for its loud, squeaky call.
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.