Allen’s Hummingbird

ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus sasin)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
Species: S. sasin

Allen’s hummingbirds commonly reside and nest along the West Coast of the United States and winter in Mexico.

The common name of the Allen’s hummingbird is in commemoration of Charles Andrew Allen (1841-1930), an American collector and taxidermist.

Male
Allen’s Hummingbirds: 

Male Allen’s hummingbirds are green-backed with a green forehead and rust-colored flanks, rump, and tail. When their tail feathers are fanned out you can see their chocolate-colored tips. 

The gorget of the male Allen’s hummingbird is an iridescent orange-red, however, in darker lighting, it can appear chocolate brown.

Allen’s hummingbirds are 3.3 inches to 3.5 inches in length and weigh 2-4 grams.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird.

This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female
Allen’s Hummingbirds:

The female Allen’s hummingbird is less colorful than the male because it lacks the iridescent gorget.

They are small, green-backed birds with pale or faint speckled throats, buffy sides and flanks, and reddish-orange tails tipped with dark edges.

In the wild, confusion may arise because certain females have stippling or color specs along their throat lines that resemble juvenile characteristics.

See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile
Allen’s Hummingbirds:

Both male and female juvenile Allen’s hummingbirds first resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the characteristic iridescent feathers of this species of hummingbird. 

Juvenile Allen’s hummingbirds molt into their adult plumage as they mature, developing the full iridescent throat patch (gorget) and brighter coloration in males, or retaining the subtler tones in females.

As juveniles molt into their first full set of feathers, the fluffy white undertail coverts become visible. These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.

In the field, they are nearly identical to Rufous hummingbirds due to their striking similarity in colors and disposition.
Therefore, range rather than appearance is used to establish identity.

Note: This juvenile male Allen’s hummingbird is protecting a feeder while perching on a tomato cage.

You will see that he still has some stippling around his throat and some fluffy white down feathers near his bottom.

He appears to be in the early stages of adolescence because a full gorget has not yet developed.

Baby
Allen’s Hummingbirds:

Baby Allen’s hummingbirds are tiny, naked, and helpless at birth, with closed eyes and no feathers. They grow quickly, developing gray down within a few days. By 2–3 weeks, pin feathers emerge, and their green plumage starts showing. 

Fed by regurgitated nectar and insects from their mother, they fledge the nest at about 3 weeks old.

See my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Allen’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

Allen’s hummingbirds are highly territorial, especially the males during the breeding season.
They engage in aggressive aerial displays to defend their feeding territories from intruders.
These displays include high-speed chases and intricate flight patterns.

See my article:
Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Fiercely territorial and hostile toward other hummingbirds, Allen’s also defend their area among larger predatory birds such as hawks, much like Rufous hummingbirds. 

Male Allen’s hummingbirds engage in a dramatic, fast-paced courtship dance that mimics a pendulum’s swing.
Of all the hummingbirds in North America, their territorial dive displays are among the most intricate.

See my article:
Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

Allen’s hummingbirds, both male and female, are gregarious birds. Other than mating, they do not interact with each other.

Allen’s hummingbirds commonly reside and nest along the west coast and winter in Mexico. Their nesting season is perfectly timed with when the regions have the most rainfall which helps provide prolific nectar producing flowers for their offspring.

Usually found in trees or shrubs, females use plant materials and spider webs to construct tiny, cup-shaped nests.
Each time they attempt to reproduce, they lay one to two eggs, which they then incubate for two to three weeks. 

For several weeks after hatching, the young remain totally reliant on their mother for nourishment and protection until they are able to fly.

In their natural range, Allen’s hummingbirds often visit gardens and areas with bird feeders. They are a favorite among bird watchers and nature enthusiasts for their colorful appearance and lively behavior.

Allen’s hummingbirds face habitat loss and pesticide risks.
Conservation efforts, such as preserving natural areas, responsible gardening, and maintaining hummingbird feeders, help to protect their future.

Understanding and protecting Allen’s hummingbirds is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and for the continued enjoyment of future generations who will marvel at this vibrant and lively bird.

In 2004, and again in 2009, the oldest known living Allen’s hummingbird was taken during a California banding program that involved catch and release. She was 5 years and 11 months old at the time.

See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded