Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 3.5 in
9 cm - Wingspan
- 4.3 in
11 cm - Weight
- 0.1–0.1 oz
2–4 g
Other Names
- Colibri d'Allen (French)
- Chuparmirto petirrojo, Zumbador de Allen (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- Breeding male and female Allen's Hummingbirds have different habitat preferences. The male sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub vegetation or riparian shrubs, where he often perches conspicuously on exposed leafless branches. The female selects nest sites in more densely vegetated areas and forests.
- Two subspecies of Allen's Hummingbirds are recognized. They differ only slightly in appearance, but sedentarius of very southern California is nonmigratory, and the more northerly breeding, slightly smaller sasin spends the winter in Mexico.
- The Allen's Hummingbird is remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds. Northbound birds may depart on spring migration as early as December and arrive on the summer breeding grounds as early as January. Adult males may begin their southward fall migration in mid-May and arrive on winter grounds as early as August.
Habitat
Open Woodland
Breeds in moist coastal areas, scrub, chaparral, and forests. Winters in forest edge and scrub clearings with flowers.
Food
Nectar
Flower nectar, small insects, and tree sap. Comes to hummingbird feeders.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 2 eggs
- Egg Description
- White.
- Condition at Hatching
- Helpless, with black skin and some down on back.
Nest Description
Open cup of plant down with an outer layer of grass or leaves, covered on outside with lichens, moss, or pieces of bark held on with spider web. Placed in shrub or on small twig or branch of tree.
Nest Placement
Shrub
Behavior
Hovering
Hovers at flowers and sap wells, catches insects in flight and plucks them from leaves.
Conservation
Least Concern
Populations may be declining.
Credits
- Mitchell, D. E. 2000. Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin). In The Birds of North America, No. 501 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.