Black-crested Coquette vs Allen's Hummingbird
Lophornis helenae compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-crested Coquette | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lophornis helenae | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.9 cm (3.1 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.7 g (0.10 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Central American foothill forest. Defends small flower patches; supplements with tiny arthropods. | 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
Black-crested Coquette
Rapid, mechanical twittering cascade; quick staccato notes tumbling freely in animated sequence above flowering trees.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-crested Coquette
Found from southern Mexico through Central America to western Colombia in lowland and foothill forest. 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
Black-crested Coquette
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-crested Coquette
Bee Hummingbird: world's smallest bird; males with glittering blue-violet gorget; metallic green above; females plain green above
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Black-crested Coquette
A tiny hummingbird (7 cm) found in humid forests from southern Mexico through Central America to Belize and Guatemala. Males have an elongated black crest and white tail-band. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges. Uncommon and inconspicuous.
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.