Green-throated Mountain-gem vs Allen's Hummingbird
Lampornis viridipallens compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Green-throated Mountain-gem | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis viridipallens | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.7 cm (5.0 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.540000000000001 g (0.20 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican highland forest; visits Salvia and other forest-edge flowers. Catches small insects in … | Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Green-throated Mountain-gem
Rapid, mechanical twittering; quick staccato notes tumbling freely in animated sequence above flowering canopy.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Green-throated Mountain-gem
Found in highland forest from southern Mexico through Guatemala and Honduras. 1,000–2,800 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
Green-throated Mountain-gem
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Green-throated Mountain-gem
Volcano Hummingbird: males with glittering ruby gorget varying by subspecies; metallic green above; females green above; 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
Green-throated Mountain-gem
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the highlands of Guatemala and southern Mexico at 1,200-3,000 m. Males have a green throat patch. Nectarivore of cloud forest and pine-oak forest edges. A Central American highland endemic.
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.