Allen's Hummingbird - Selasphorus sasin

Sycamore Canyon is a small park in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in Whittier, California. Despite its proximity to urban areas and to the freeway, it harbors a number of bird species.  One of these is the Allen's Hummingbird.

Allen's Hummingbirds always pose an identification problem because of its similarity with the Rufous Hummingbird which shares its range and habitat. Both have the striking rufous coloring and bright red gorget. However, Allen's have green feathers on its head, upper back and rump. They also have a more limited range in the western USA and Mexico. It is not unusual to find these colorful birds in urban areas. Next to the very common Anna's, Allen's are probably the other hummingbird one can easily find in southern California.

Allen's Hummingbird - Selasphorus sasin
Sycamore Canyon, Whittier, California
April 30, 2005

Canon 20D, 300mm+1.4X, handheld
ISO-100, f7.1, 1/400