Allen's Hummingbird vs Crimson Topaz
Selasphorus sasin compared with Topaza pella
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Allen's Hummingbird | Crimson Topaz |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selasphorus sasin | Topaza pella |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) |
| Weight | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) | 12.625 g (0.45 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with … | Nectarivore and insectivore; extracts nectar from trap-lining flowers and hawks small flying insects in forest … |
| 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.
Crimson Topaz
Rough, raspy chatter with intermittent clear whistles; complex mix of harsh and musical notes characteristic of active pairs.
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.
Crimson Topaz
Found in the Guiana Shield and Amazon basin from Colombia and Venezuela south to Peru and Brazil. Resident near rivers in lowland forest.
Conservation Status
Allen's Hummingbird
Crimson Topaz
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
Crimson Topaz
Spectacular male: deep crimson-red body with iridescent golden-green throat; elongated crossed central tail feathers; female green and cinnamon-buff; one of South America's most brilliantly coloured hummingbirds.
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.
Crimson Topaz
A spectacular, large hummingbird (18-20 cm including long tail) of northern South America. Male has glittering crimson-red throat and breast with a golden-green back. The largest hummingbird in its range. Nectarivore of lowland tropical forest canopy, visiting large flowers. Found in Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil.