Allen's Hummingbird vs Crowned Woodnymph
Selasphorus sasin compared with Thalurania colombica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Allen's Hummingbird | Crowned Woodnymph |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selasphorus sasin | Thalurania colombica |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) | 10.5 cm (4.1 in) |
| Weight | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) | 4.34 g (0.15 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with … | Feeds on nectar from understory herbs and epiphytes in humid forest. Supplements diet with insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Crowned Woodnymph
Sharp, crackling chatter with percussive quality; rapid dry notes delivered forcefully during active territory defense.
Geographic Range & Migration
Allen's Hummingbird
Breeds along the Pacific coast from Oregon to southern California. Partial migrant; some Channel Islands populations resident year-round.
Crowned Woodnymph
Found in humid forests from Guatemala to Peru. Resident in lowland and montane forests on both slopes of the Andes.
Conservation Status
Allen's Hummingbird
Crowned Woodnymph
How to Tell Them Apart
Allen's Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (alt): males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; females duller; pale buff below
Crowned Woodnymph
White-quilled Bustard: males with white wing quills visible in flight; brown-vermiculated above; pale below; black belly band
About These Birds
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.
Crowned Woodnymph
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in humid forests from Guatemala to Peru. Males have a brilliant violet-blue crown and green body. Nectarivore of forest and forest edges. One of the most common woodnymph hummingbirds in Central and South America.