Allen's Hummingbird

Allen's Hummingbird breeds along a narrow strip of the California and southern Oregon coast, closely resembling the more widespread Rufous Hummingbird. Males display a brilliant, fiery orange-red iridescent throat patch, while their back coloring varies between populations, with some appearing green-backed and others fully rufous-backed.

The male's throat, or gorget, is a vivid iridescent orange-red that can appear dark or nearly black when not catching direct light. Flanks and tail are washed with warm rufous, and the back may be either green or rufous depending on the individual population. Females and immatures are duller, with a green back, pale rufous-washed flanks, and often a small patch of orange-red spotting at the throat. Tail feather shape is a key technical distinction from the very similar Rufous Hummingbird, with subtle differences in the width and notching of individual tail feathers used by banders and careful observers to separate the two species.

Males show the bright orange-red gorget and rufous flanks described above, with back color varying by population. Females are green-backed with rufous-washed flanks and a much reduced or spotted throat patch. Juveniles resemble females initially, with young males gradually acquiring full gorget color in their first year. Feather wear and the annual molt refresh the vividness of the male's throat iridescence.

Breeds in a narrow coastal band from southern Oregon through California, in coastal scrub, chaparral, and increasingly in gardens and parks. It winters mainly in Mexico, making it a long-distance migrant despite its restricted breeding range.

Feeds on nectar from flowering plants and small insects, and readily visits nectar feeders in gardens within its range. Males perform a distinctive climbing-and-diving display flight during courtship, often accompanied by a sharp, buzzy sound from the wings and tail. Its call is a sharp, high chip note. Nests are small cups built from plant down and spider silk, usually placed low in shrubs or trees.