Buffy Helmetcrest vs Allen's Hummingbird
Oxypogon stuebelii compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buffy Helmetcrest | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oxypogon stuebelii | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.1 cm (4.4 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.4 g (0.19 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high páramo and superparamo; visits sparse Espeletia and Chuquiraga flowers in harsh conditions. … | 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
Buffy Helmetcrest
Pure, sustained flute-like tone; single clear note held steadily then fading, warm and round in quiet forest shade.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Buffy Helmetcrest
Endemic to the Ruiz-Tolima volcanic massif of Colombia in high páramo at 3,800–4,800 m. 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
Buffy Helmetcrest
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Buffy Helmetcrest
Purple-chested Hummingbird: males with brilliant iridescent violet-purple breast; metallic green above; females green with spotted below
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Buffy Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the central Andes of Colombia at 3,500-4,500 m. Males have a striking erect crest and buffy beard. Nectarivore of high-altitude páramo, visiting Espeletia frailejón plants. Named after the German explorer Alphons Stübel.
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.