Blue-Chested Hummingbird or Allen's Hummingbird?
Here's how to tell the difference
Blue-Chested Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Blue-Chested Hummingbird
Polyerata amabilis
Also known as: Blue Chested Hummingbird
General appearance
The Blue-chested Hummingbird, a colorful creature, has a metallic green upper body. Its lower body varies between dark green and blue. It has bright white spots on its tail feathers and a slender, straight beak ideal for feeding on nectar.
Male vs female
Distinguishing between a male and female Blue-chested Hummingbird can be challenging as both sexes share the same colorations. However, males are usually more luminous and have more blue on their chests compared to their female counterparts.
Juvenile
Juvenile Blue-chested Hummingbirds resemble their adult counterparts, although their plumage may not be as vibrant. As they mature, their colors gradually become brighter. Differences between sexes are negligible during this stage of development.
Size
2.8 - 4.3 in/0.1 - 0.2 oz
There's more to learn about Blue-Chested Hummingbird
View full detailsAllen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
General appearance
The Allen's hummingbird is a small species, measuring between 3-3 1/2" (8-9 cm), roughly the size of a Sparrow. The bird displays a variety of colors including black, green, orange, red, and white. Its physical features consist of a multi-pointed, rounded, and wedge-shaped tail, with narrow, rounded and short wings.
Male vs female
Mature males have coloration similar to a Rufous Hummingbird, with the notable distinction of a green back. However, Rufous Hummingbirds can also display green backs making identifying Allen's challenging outside of their typical range. The females and young of the species are completely identical to their Rufous counterparts.
Juvenile
The juvenile Allen's hummingbirds inherit the identical appearance of the female and are similar to Rufous younglings, so identifying them can potentially be difficult. Instead, their range of habitat can provide a decent clue towards proper identification.
Size
3.0 - 3.5 in/0.1 oz
There's more to learn about Allen's Hummingbird
View full detailsHow to tell the Blue-Chested Hummingbird from the Allen's Hummingbird
Visual differences
The Blue-Chested Hummingbird (2.7-3.9" long) features a metallic green upper body with a dark green to blue lower body, bright white tail spots, and a straight beak. Allen's Hummingbird (3-3.5" long) displays black, green, orange, red, and white hues, with a multi-pointed, rounded tail and a shorter, more rounded beak. Males of Allen's species have a similar look to Rufous Hummingbirds but with green backs. Blue-chested juveniles appear similar to adults, while Allen's juveniles resemble their females or Rufous young.
Key differences and behavior
The Blue-Chested Hummingbird and Allen's Hummingbird exhibit distinct behaviors and habitat preferences. Blue-Chested Hummingbirds are short-distance migrants found in humid lowland forests in Central and South America, often forming leks for social interaction and courtship. They fiercely defend feeding territories when nectar is scarce. In contrast, Allen's Hummingbirds, residing in North America, migrate to Mexico during winter, frequenting semi-open habitats like parks and gardens, and are notably aggressive. While both species feed primarily on nectar and insects, Allen's also exhibits an exceptional memory for flower locations. In terms of courtship, Blue-Chested males engage in aerial displays and vocalizations, while Allen’s males perform a distinctive J-shaped flight with metallic sounds. Both species build camouflaged, cup-shaped nests, with females solely responsible for chick care, but Allen's nests can be placed unusually high, sometimes up to 90 feet.
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