Black-chinned Hummingbird vs Purple-throated Carib
Archilochus alexandri compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-chinned Hummingbird | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Archilochus alexandri | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.5 cm (3.3 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 3.6399999999999997 g (0.13 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Generalist nectarivore visiting a wide variety of western North American flowers. Gleans insects and spiders … | 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
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Rapid, animated twittering with bright quality; light staccato notes cascading freely in cheerful sequence.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Found in western North America from British Columbia to Mexico. Breeds in open woodland; winters in western Mexico.
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
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-chinned Hummingbird
White-eared Hummingbird: males with brilliant violet-blue gorget; metallic green above; white postocular stripe; females green; spotted
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Black-chinned Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in western North America from British Columbia to Mexico. Males have a black chin with iridescent purple border. Nectarivore of open woodland, gardens, and desert oases. Common at feeders across the western US during breeding season.
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.