Rufous Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus compared with Selasphorus sasin
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous Hummingbird | Allen's Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selasphorus rufus | Selasphorus sasin |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.72 g (0.13 oz) | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Highly migratory nectarivore visiting a wide diversity of western North American flowers. Supplements with insects … | 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
Rufous Hummingbird
Soft, liquid notes with gentle melancholy; mellow flowing sequence with subtle sadness in quiet forest.
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous Hummingbird
Breeds from Alaska south to Oregon. Migrates up to 6,400 km to winter in Mexico, the longest migration relative to body size of any bird.
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Conservation Status
Rufous Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous Hummingbird
Green-crowned Woodnymph: males with glittering green crown; violet-blue gorget; metallic green above; females green above; spots
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
About These Birds
Rufous Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) known for its extraordinary migration, traveling up to 6,400 km between breeding grounds in Alaska and wintering areas in Mexico. Males have a brilliant orange-red gorget. The longest migration relative to body size of any bird.
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.