Blue-bearded Helmetcrest vs Allen's Hummingbird
Oxypogon cyanolaemus compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-bearded Helmetcrest | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oxypogon cyanolaemus | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.0 cm (5.5 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.8 g (0.17 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Venezuelan páramo; forages at Espeletia and Ericaceae blooms in cold conditions. Catches small … | 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
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
Rapid, mechanical clicking in even rhythm; dry staccato notes forming continuous even sequence typical of swift.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, in high páramo at 3,000–4,600 m. Critically endangered.
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-bearded Helmetcrest
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
Blue-chested Hummingbird: males with glittering blue-green gorget; metallic bronze-green above; females green above; buff underparts
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, at 3,500-4,700 m. Males have a blue beard and erect crest. Critically Endangered due to extremely restricted páramo habitat on an isolated mountain range.
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.