Bee Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird
Mellisuga helenae compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bee Hummingbird | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mellisuga helenae | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 5.6 cm (2.2 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.1 g (0.07 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | World's smallest bird; feeds on nectar from tiny Cuban flowers and catches minuscule spiders and … | 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
Bee Hummingbird
Pure, bell-like descending phrase; clear resonant tones stepping smoothly down in musical sequence at dusk.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Bee Hummingbird
Endemic to Cuba. Found across the island in forests, gardens, and coastal vegetation from sea level to moderate elevations.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Bee Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Bee Hummingbird
Canivet's Emerald: males with iridescent violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; forked tail; females green; spots
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Bee Hummingbird
The world's smallest bird (5-6 cm, 1.6-2 g). Endemic to Cuba. Males have an iridescent pink-red throat. Nectarivore of forest and garden flowers. Weighs less than a US dime. Heart beats 1,200 times per minute. Lays the world's smallest bird eggs (6 mm).
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.