Calliope Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Calliope Hummingbird | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selasphorus calliope | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.3 cm (3.3 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.7633333333333336 g (0.10 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Smallest breeding bird in North America; feeds on mountain meadow nectar and 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
Calliope Hummingbird
Rough, coarse chatter with energetic delivery; rapid series of harsh notes tumbling quickly in vigorous exchange.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Calliope Hummingbird
Breeds in mountain meadows of western North America from British Columbia to Utah. Long-distance migrant wintering in Mexico.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Calliope Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Calliope Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Woodnymph: males with iridescent violet crown and gorget; metallic green above; females green above; spotted below
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Calliope Hummingbird
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm), the smallest breeding bird in the United States. Males have an iridescent magenta-pink gorget. Breeds in mountain meadows of the western US and Canada. Long-distance migrant to Mexico. Named for its resemblance to the beautiful Calliope of Greek mythology.
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.