Oasis Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird

Rhodopis vesper compared with Selasphorus sasin

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Oasis Hummingbird Allen's Hummingbird
Scientific Name Rhodopis vesper Selasphorus sasin
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 11.1 cm (4.4 in) 8.1 cm (3.2 in)
Weight 4.08 g (0.14 oz) 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Peruvian coastal desert oases; visits Capparis, Tillandsia, and garden flowers. Supplements with small … Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Oasis Hummingbird only

None

Allen's Hummingbird only

Song & Call Comparison

Oasis Hummingbird

Song

Soft, pure whistle with warm timbre; gentle sustained tone with slight fall at end, given quietly. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Allen's Hummingbird

Song

Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.

Geographic Range & Migration

Oasis Hummingbird

Found in coastal fog valleys and desert oases of Peru and northern Chile. Sea level to 3,200 m. Highly restricted lowland range.

Allen's Hummingbird

Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Oasis Hummingbird

Least Concern

Allen's Hummingbird

About These Birds

Oasis Hummingbird

A small hummingbird (12-13 cm including long tail) found in the arid coastal deserts of Peru and northern Chile. Dull plumage with a long, forked tail. Nectarivore specializing in desert flowers and columnar cacti. One of the few hummingbirds adapted to hyper-arid environments.

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.

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