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

Shared Habitats

None

Calliope Hummingbird only

None

Allen's Hummingbird only

Song & Call Comparison

Calliope Hummingbird

Song

Rough, coarse chatter with energetic delivery; rapid series of harsh notes tumbling quickly in vigorous exchange.

Allen's Hummingbird

Song

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

Least Concern

Calliope Hummingbird

Least Concern

Allen's Hummingbird

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.

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