Ecuadorian Piedtail vs Allen's Hummingbird
Phlogophilus hemileucurus compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ecuadorian Piedtail | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlogophilus hemileucurus | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.0 cm (3.9 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.56 g (0.09 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean foothill undergrowth; visits small epiphyte and Heliconia flowers. Supplements with arthropods. | 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
Ecuadorian Piedtail
High, crystalline notes in musical phrase; clear bright sequence ascending smoothly in cheerful morning vocalisation.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ecuadorian Piedtail
Found on both Andean slopes in Ecuador in humid foothill and lower montane forest. 400–1,600 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
Ecuadorian Piedtail
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Ecuadorian Piedtail
Costa's Hummingbird: males with brilliant violet gorget with elongated side gorget feathers; metallic green above; females plain below
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Ecuadorian Piedtail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador at 1,000-2,000 m. Green plumage with white-tipped tail and dusky breast. Nectarivore of montane forest. Found in dense, mossy cloud forest understory. Uncommon.
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.