Allen's Hummingbird vs Green-backed Firecrown
Selasphorus sasin compared with Sephanoides sephaniodes
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Allen's Hummingbird | Green-backed Firecrown |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selasphorus sasin | Sephanoides sephaniodes |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.1 cm (3.2 in) | 12.0 cm (4.7 in) |
| Weight | 3.1500000000000004 g (0.11 oz) | 6.583333333333333 g (0.23 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from coastal sage scrub and forest flowers in California. Supplements diet with … | Nectarivore foraging at diverse temperate-zone flowers in Chile and Argentina, including Fuchsia and Embothrium. Takes … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Allen's Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well across broad coastal mangroves.
Green-backed Firecrown
Crisp, whistled descending phrase; clean notes stepping down smoothly with precision and musical elegance at dawn.
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.
Green-backed Firecrown
Found along the length of Chile and western Argentina in temperate forest and scrub. Sea level to 2,000 m. Migratory.
Conservation Status
Allen's Hummingbird
Green-backed Firecrown
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
Green-backed Firecrown
Black Metaltail: males shining green with black-metallic gorget; white postocular stripe; females green above; white-spotted buff underparts
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.
Green-backed Firecrown
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in temperate forests of southern South America from central Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego. Green plumage with coppery-green crown. The southernmost hummingbird species, tolerating sub-zero temperatures. Nectarivore of native Fuchsia and Embothrium.