Allen’s Hummingbird (ALHU)

Selasphorus sasin

Male Allen’s Hummingbird  © Will Sweet / Macaulay Library
Female Allen’s Hummingbird  © Ruslan Balagansky / Macaulay Library

Range

These birds can be found when breeding on the coast of Oregon and California, and during migration can be spotted throughout most of southern California and Arizona. This migration range extends past the U.S. southern border, where they spend their wintering season in a small central range within Mexico.

Additional Maps

Identification

The Allen’s Hummingbird is a small, lightweight bird with a short pointed tail, long black beak, beady eyes, and a rounded, oval-shaped body. Both males and females have a ‘scaly’ throat, but the males’ feathers are bright red, orange, and yellow shades that shimmer and shift in the light. The rest of the male’s body is a rufous, orange color with a white rump and slightly white throat under the colorful scale-like feathers. They also have slightly olive-colored feathers on the top of their heads and wings. Females have less orangey colorations, essentially only under their wings and on the top of their rumps. Their tail and wing feathers are a dark gray or black shade, and their throat ‘scales’ are a darker green shade and not as bright or shimmery. They have some rufous and green shades on their head, and shiny green feathers on the back and top of their heads, with white on their face and chest. Allen’s Hummingbirds make buzzing or humming noises with their wings, and occasionally make a tink-ing call when feeding.

Listen to its songs and calls here. 

Habitat

Allen’s Hummingbirds breed in moist scrublands, forests, and coastal areas. When migrating they can be found in most woodland or scrub habitats. When possible, these birds prefer coastal scrubs, valley foothill hardwood, and valley foothill riparian habitats. They are also known to frequent closed-cone pine-cypress, urban, and redwood forests. In more urban locations they can also be found in gardens, parks, and other suburban areas.

Conservation Status 

Threats to Conservation

Allen’s Hummingbirds face threats mostly related to habitat loss and fragmentation. Urban and coastal development severely limits their available breeding habitats on the West Coast. In addition, climate change has been reducing nectar and insect availability for their dietary needs. Competition with a similar species, the Anna’s Hummingbird, has also led to population decline over recent years.

Funding Opportunities
General Management Guides
Regional Management Guides
West
Resources
Works Cited