Viridian Metaltail vs Allen's Hummingbird
Metallura williami compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Viridian Metaltail | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metallura williami | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.5 cm (4.5 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.6 g (0.16 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Colombian montane shrubs; visits Brachyotum and Ericaceae. Gleans tiny insects from … | 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
Viridian Metaltail
Sharp, emphatic chip repeated rapidly; clean staccato note with forceful attack given insistently near territory.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Viridian Metaltail
Found in cloud forests and páramo of Colombia and Ecuador on both Andean slopes. 2,400–4,000 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
Viridian Metaltail
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Viridian Metaltail
Blue-throated Mountain-gem: tiny; males with brilliant blue gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females 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
Viridian Metaltail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,000-3,500 m. Males have a glittering green tail. Nectarivore of montane forest edges and flowering shrubs. Named after the British naturalist M.C. William.
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.