The Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is most closely related to the Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). The two are nearly identical in appearance, but differ in range, migration, and some plumage details.
3.0–3.5 in (7.5–9 cm)
Length
4.3 in (11 cm)
Wingspan
0.1 oz (2–4 g)
Weight
About
The Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a small but dazzling hummingbird belonging to the family Trochilidae, found primarily along the western coast of North America. Its range is concentrated in coastal California and southern Oregon, with some populations migrating as far south as Mexico during winter. Named after the California bird collector Charles Andrew Allen, this species is celebrated for its brilliant colors, rapid movements, and distinctive courtship displays.
Allen’s Hummingbirds are tiny, measuring only 7–9 cm (3–3.5 in) in length and weighing about 2–4 grams. Males are particularly striking, with iridescent orange-red throats (gorgets), green backs, and bright rufous flanks and tails. Females and juveniles are less vibrant, usually displaying greenish upperparts and pale underparts with some rufous highlights. In flight, their whirring wings produce a soft buzzing, and males often give a sharp chip call while patrolling territories.
These hummingbirds are highly energetic and aggressive, especially during breeding season when males defend flower-rich territories with spectacular aerial dives and rapid chases. Their diet consists mainly of nectar from a variety of flowering plants, including native species and garden blooms, but they also eat small insects and spiders to supplement protein needs.
Breeding begins in early spring, one of the earliest among hummingbirds. The female builds a tiny cup-shaped nest made of plant down, moss, and spider silk, often placed on tree branches or shrubs. She lays two pea-sized white eggs and raises the young alone. Males do not assist in nesting but focus on mating opportunities.
Allen’s Hummingbird populations are considered stable, though localized habitat loss and competition with other hummingbird species, such as the Rufous Hummingbird, may pose challenges. Their vibrant plumage, feisty behavior, and dependence on coastal habitats make them a favorite among birdwatchers in California.
Threatened:
Extinct
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Physical Characteristics
Plumage:
Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a small, brilliantly colored hummingbird of the Pacific Coast.
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Males: Display a dazzling iridescent orange-red gorget (throat patch), a bright coppery-orange body, and green feathers on the back and crown. The rump is also tinged with green, contrasting with the rufous sides, tail, and flanks.
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Females: More subdued, with a mostly green back, whitish underparts washed with buff or rufous on the sides, and small orange spotting on the throat. The tail is rufous with white tips.
Head:
The head is small, with a short, straight, and slender black bill adapted for sipping nectar. Males show the striking iridescent gorget, which shifts in brilliance depending on the angle of light.
Body:
Compact and lightweight, perfectly adapted for hovering flight. Males have slightly more rufous coloration overall, while females and immatures appear greener.
Size:
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Length: 3.0–3.5 in (7.5–9 cm)
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Wingspan: 4.3 in (11 cm)
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Weight: 0.1 oz (2–4 g)
Feet & Tail:
Tiny feet are used mostly for perching rather than walking. The tail is rufous with dark central feathers, helping with maneuverability in flight.
Flight Style:
Fast and agile, with rapid wingbeats (about 50–60 beats per second) that produce a characteristic humming sound. Males perform dramatic courtship dives, climbing high into the air before plummeting downward with a buzzing trill produced by their wing feathers.
Allen’s Hummingbird is a jewel-like species, with its coppery-orange plumage, glowing throat patch, and acrobatic flight, making it one of the most brilliant hummingbirds of coastal California.
Reproduction
Breeding Season:
Allen’s Hummingbirds breed very early in the year compared to most birds, with nesting beginning as early as January in southern California and extending through June or July further north.
Courtship:
Males perform dramatic U-shaped dive displays to court females. They fly high into the air and then swoop down rapidly, producing a distinctive buzzing sound with their wing and tail feathers. Males do not participate in nesting or chick-rearing.
Nesting:
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Only the female builds the nest, typically in a shrub, tree branch, or sometimes on human structures such as wires or ledges.
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The nest is tiny, about the size of a walnut, constructed from plant down, moss, and spider silk, which makes it flexible and expandable as chicks grow.
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Nests are often camouflaged with lichens and bark flakes.
Eggs:
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A typical clutch contains 2 small white eggs.
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Eggs measure about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) in length.
Incubation:
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Lasts 15 to 17 days.
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Only the female incubates the eggs.
Chick Development:
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Chicks hatch blind and naked (altricial).
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The female feeds them regurgitated nectar and small insects.
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Nestlings fledge at about 20 to 23 days of age, but remain dependent on the female for another 1 to 2 weeks.
Maturity:
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Juveniles are capable of independent foraging within weeks after fledging.
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Sexual maturity is reached at about 1 year of age, when they are ready to breed the following season.
Allen’s Hummingbird’s reproductive cycle is remarkable for its early timing, small clutch size, and reliance on the female alone, with males investing entirely in courtship displays.
Lifespan
In the Wild:
Allen’s Hummingbirds generally live 3 to 5 years in their natural habitats along the Pacific Coast. Survival is most difficult during their first year due to predation, harsh weather, and migration hazards.
In Captivity:
Although not commonly kept, in protected environments with steady food and no predators, they may live slightly longer, sometimes reaching 6 to 7 years.
Record Lifespan:
The oldest known wild Allen’s Hummingbird, recorded through banding studies, lived at least 5 years and 11 months.
Threats to Longevity:
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Predation: By larger birds, snakes, and domestic cats.
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Habitat Loss: Development and loss of coastal scrub and chaparral reduce nesting and foraging areas.
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Migration Hazards: Many populations migrate between California/Oregon and Mexico, facing storms, exhaustion, and collisions along the way.
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Competition: Overlaps with other hummingbird species, especially Anna’s Hummingbird, which may compete for nectar sources.
Despite their short lifespans, Allen’s Hummingbirds are resilient and adaptable, with populations remaining stable in much of their range.
Eating Habits
Diet:
Allen’s Hummingbirds are primarily nectar feeders, but they supplement with protein-rich insects. Their diet includes:
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Nectar: From tubular flowers such as honeysuckle, currant, gooseberry, columbine, and many coastal wildflowers.
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Insects & Spiders: Small flies, gnats, aphids, and spiders provide essential protein, especially during breeding and chick-rearing.
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Sap: Occasionally visit sap wells drilled by sapsuckers to feed on tree sap and trapped insects.
Foraging Behavior:
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Hover in front of flowers, extending their long tongues to lap up nectar at high speed (up to 13 licks per second).
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Perch on twigs or wires to survey feeding territories, aggressively chasing away rivals.
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Catch insects in midair (hawking) or glean them from leaves, bark, and spider webs.
Feeding Adaptations:
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Long, extendable tongue with brush-like tips to draw nectar efficiently.
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High metabolism requires frequent feeding — they may visit hundreds of flowers per day.
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Males fiercely defend nectar-rich territories, while females forage more broadly when raising young.
Role in Ecosystem:
By transferring pollen between flowers, Allen’s Hummingbirds serve as important pollinators of native coastal plants. Their insect-hunting also helps control small flying insect populations.
The Allen’s Hummingbird’s diet of nectar and insects, combined with its aggressive territorial defense, makes it both an important pollinator and a highly competitive little predator.
Uniqueness
Coastal Specialist:
Allen’s Hummingbird is found almost exclusively along the Pacific Coast of the United States and Mexico, making it one of the most geographically restricted hummingbirds in North America.
Brilliant Males:
Males are renowned for their flaming orange-red gorget and rufous body plumage, among the most dazzling displays of any hummingbird. Their intense coloration makes them one of the most sought-after sightings by birdwatchers.
Early Breeders:
Unlike most hummingbirds, Allen’s Hummingbirds begin nesting as early as January in California, taking advantage of early-blooming coastal flowers and mild winters.
Courtship Displays:
Males perform dramatic U-shaped dive displays, buzzing loudly with their wing and tail feathers, a spectacle unique among hummingbirds.
Territorial Aggression:
Despite their tiny size, they are extremely aggressive and territorial, often chasing off much larger birds—including hawks and jays—from their feeding and nesting areas.
Conservation Importance:
Because of their dependence on coastal scrub, chaparral, and gardens, they are considered indicators of habitat health in western coastal ecosystems.
Allen’s Hummingbird’s restricted range, fiery plumage, and bold behavior make it one of the most unique and charismatic hummingbirds of North America.
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FAQ’s
1. What is the closest species to the Allen’s Hummingbird?
2. How does the Allen’s Hummingbird compare to other hummingbirds?
Compared to other hummingbirds, Allen’s is smaller, more territorial, and more restricted in range, breeding almost exclusively along the Pacific Coast. Its males are also more coppery-orange, while many other hummingbirds show primarily green or iridescent plumage.
3. What national parks provide the best opportunities to see an Allen’s Hummingbird?
Allen’s Hummingbirds are best seen in California’s coastal parks. Top spots include Channel Islands National Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Redwood National and State Parks, where native coastal scrub and flowering plants provide abundant nectar sources.