Speckled Hummingbird vs Purple-throated Carib
Adelomyia melanogenys compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Speckled Hummingbird | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Adelomyia melanogenys | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.6 cm (4.2 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 4.300000000000001 g (0.15 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting a broad range of Andean montane flowers including Ericaceae and Bromeliaceae. Gleans small … | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Speckled Hummingbird
Thin, sibilant trill with airy quality; soft high buzzing sustained gently during slow courtship hovering display.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Speckled Hummingbird
Widespread in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,200–3,200 m.
Purple-throated Carib
Found throughout the Lesser Antilles from Saba to Grenada. Prefers mature forest and flowering trees. Sea level to 800 m.
Conservation Status
Speckled Hummingbird
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Speckled Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: males with iridescent ruby-red gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above with spots
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Speckled Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) widely distributed in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Argentina at 1,000-3,000 m. Green plumage speckled with buff spots on the breast. Nectarivore of montane forest undergrowth and edges. One of the most widespread Andean hummingbirds.
Purple-throated Carib
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the Lesser Antilles from Saba to St. Vincent. Males have iridescent purple throat and green body. Nectarivore of montane forest and gardens. Larger and more aggressive than Green-throated Carib, dominating flower territories.