Peruvian Piedtail vs Allen's Hummingbird
Phlogophilus harterti compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Peruvian Piedtail | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlogophilus harterti | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 9.1 cm (3.6 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.45 g (0.09 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian montane forest understory. Visits tubular flowers; catches small insects gleaned from leaf … | 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
Peruvian Piedtail
Deep, resonant hum barely audible; extremely low-frequency vibration perceptible more as sensation than distinct sound.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Peruvian Piedtail
Found on the eastern Andean slope in Peru in humid foothill forest. 400–1,400 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
Peruvian Piedtail
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Peruvian Piedtail
Calliope Hummingbird: males with glittering rosy-red streaked gorget; metallic green above; females plain green above; short tail
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Peruvian Piedtail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests of Peru at 1,300-2,200 m. Green plumage with pale-tipped tail. Nectarivore of montane forest understory. Named after Ernst Hartert. Classified as Near Threatened due to limited 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.