Allen's Hummingbird

Selasphorus sasin

Photo of Male by Zerb21
Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula, California

Identification

L. 3-3 1/2 in (8-9 cm)
Very small hummingbird

Photo showing female by raulroa
Location: Whittier Narrows Nature Center South El Monte, California, March 26, 2007

Male

• Iridescent green crown and back
• Rufous rump and tail
• Bright, iridescent copper-red gorget
  • Appears dark when not in direct sunlight
• White breast
• Rufous sides

Female

• Bronze-green above, including central tail feathers
• White-tipped rufous outer tail feathers
• Flecked throat
• White underparts with rust tinge on flanks

Similar Species

See Rufous Hummingbird

Distribution

North America:
Breeds along the coast from southern Oregon to southern California. Resident in southern California. Also winters in Mexico.

Taxonomy

There are two subspecies:

Subspecies^[1]

• S. s. sasin:

• Southern Oregon to southern California; winters to central Mexico

• S. s. sedentarius:

• Channel Islands (off southern California)

Habitat

Coastal chaparral, brushland, and edges of redwood forests.

Behaviour

Breeding

2 white eggs are laid in a tiny, tightly woven cup placed on a sheltered branch.

Vocalisation

A low chup, and an excited zeeee chuppity-chup

References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Allen's Hummingbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 22 December 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Allen%27s_Hummingbird

External Links

Search for photos of Allen's Hummingbird in the gallery