Green-bearded Helmetcrest vs Allen's Hummingbird
Oxypogon guerinii compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Green-bearded Helmetcrest | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oxypogon guerinii | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.175000000000001 g (0.18 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian páramo; forages at frailejón (Espeletia) and cushion plants. Catches small insects near … | 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
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
Sharp, high-pitched squeak with penetrating quality; sudden emphatic note given repeatedly near active feeding territory.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
Endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia in high páramo at 3,200–4,800 m elevation. Locally common.
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-bearded Helmetcrest
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
Blue-tailed Hummingbird (alt): males with glittering blue-tipped gorget; metallic green above; blue tail; females green above with spots
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Green-bearded Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia at 3,500-4,500 m. Males have a green beard and erect crest. Nectarivore of páramo and treeline habitats, visiting Espeletia and Ericaceae. A Colombian endemic of high-altitude páramo.
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.