Broad-tailed Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selasphorus platycercus | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 9.8 cm (3.9 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.4875000000000003 g (0.12 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high-altitude meadows, visiting paintbrush and Penstemon. Captures insects and spiders to supplement nectar … | 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
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Rapid, buzzy chips in excited sequence; rough staccato notes tumbling quickly with energetic quality near flowers.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Found in mountain meadows of western North America from Idaho to Guatemala at 1,500-3,500 m. Breeds in highlands; winters south.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Copper-rumped Hummingbird: males with iridescent copper rump; metallic green above; glittering violet gorget; females 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
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (10 cm) found in mountain meadows of the western US from Idaho to Guatemala at 1,500-3,500 m. Males produce a distinctive metallic trilling sound with their tail feathers during display dives. Rose-magenta gorget. Nectarivore of mountain wildflowers.
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.