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
Song & Call Comparison
Oasis Hummingbird
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
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
Oasis Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Oasis Hummingbird
Lazuline Sabrewing: tiny; males with brilliant lazuline blue gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females plain green; spots
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
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.