Black-throated Hermit vs Allen's Hummingbird
Phaethornis atrimentalis compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-throated Hermit | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phaethornis atrimentalis | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.7 cm (3.0 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.8 g (0.10 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of long-tubed lowland flowers, especially Heliconia. Gleans small insects and spiders from leaf surfaces. | 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
Black-throated Hermit
Buzzy, insect-like trill with rapid modulation; high-frequency buzz sustained briefly then repeated after short pause.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-throated Hermit
Found in Amazonian foothills of Ecuador, Peru, and far western Brazil at 200–1,200 m. Uncommon and patchily distributed.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Black-throated Hermit
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-throated Hermit
Pale-tailed Barbthroat: buffy-white underparts; olive-green above; distinct pale buff supercilium; long graduated tail; slightly decurved pink-based bill
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Black-throated Hermit
A small hermit hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in humid lowland forests from Colombia to Peru and western Brazil. Dark throat patch contrasting with pale underparts. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth, visiting small Heliconia and Costus flowers along forest streams.
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.