Lucifer Hummingbird vs Purple-throated Carib
Calothorax lucifer compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lucifer Hummingbird | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calothorax lucifer | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.9 cm (3.1 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 3.4000000000000004 g (0.12 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore specialising in agave and ocotillo blooms in Chihuahuan Desert. Supplements nectar with small insects … | 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
Lucifer Hummingbird
Buzzy, sustained trill with monotonous quality; low-pitched continuous vibration with little variation throughout.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Lucifer Hummingbird
Found in arid habitats from the southwestern United States to Honduras. Breeds in desert canyons; winters in central 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
Lucifer Hummingbird
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Lucifer Hummingbird
Dusky Hummingbird: males with iridescent violet gorget; metallic green above; dusky-gray underparts; females green above; spotted
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Lucifer Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in arid habitats from the southwestern United States to Honduras. Males have an iridescent magenta-purple gorget that extends down the throat like a flame. Long, decurved bill. Nectarivore of agave flowers and desert scrub.
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.