Allen's Hummingbird

Description

BREEDING MALE

The Allen’s Hummingbird has a green back, with reddish-orange at the base of the tail, and a buffy to orange belly.

Male/breeding plumage:
- Rump and nape with highly variable amounts of orange.
- Reddish gorget.

allen's Hummingbird

Female

- Minimal reddish in gorget.
- Mostly green head, back, and rump.

allen's hummingbird

Seasonal change in appearance

None.

Juvenile

Juveniles are pale buffy below and lack red in the gorget.

Habitat

Wooded areas, parks, and gardens.

Diet

Nectar and insects.

Behavior

Allen’s Hummingbirds hover to drink nectar from flowers or hummingbird feeders.

Range

Allen’s Hummingbirds breed in California and Oregon, and winter over a larger area of California, Arizona, and Mexico.

More information:

Bent Life History

Visit the Bent Life History for extensive additional information on the American Goldfinch.

Fun Facts

Spring migration for Allen’s Hummingbirds is very early, typically January through March.

Adult male Allen’s Hummingbirds may begin their “fall” migration as early as late May.

Vocalizations

Chip note calls are made, and males can create a buzzing sound in flight due to air movement over their wings.

Similar Species

Rufous Hummingbird - male

The male Rufous Hummingbird has a rufous back and crown. Some Rufous Hummingbirds have green flecks on the back.
Rufous Hummingbird - female

The female Rufous Hummingbird is virtually identically to the female Allen's Hummingbird. Almost impossible to distinguish the two species in the field.

Nesting

The Allen’s Hummingbird’s nest is a cup of mosses and other fibers and is lined with finer materials. The outside is covered with lichens. It is placed on a low branch.

Eggs

Number: 2.
Color: White.

Incubation and fledging:
- Young hatch at about 17-22 days.
- Young fledge (leave the nest) at about 22-25 days, but associate with the female for some time.

Professor Bird

Attracting

Allen's Hummingbirds can be attracted with flowering plants and hummingbird feeders.