Violet Sabrewing vs Purple-throated Carib
Campylopterus hemileucurus compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Violet Sabrewing | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Campylopterus hemileucurus | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.1 cm (5.9 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 11.025 g (0.39 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Large sabrewing; feeds on nectar from Heliconia and bromeliads in humid forest. Supplements with 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
Violet Sabrewing
Deep, resonant trill with powerful bass quality; low-frequency churring vibrating through dense forest canopy.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Violet Sabrewing
Found in humid montane forests from southern Mexico to Panama at 500-2,500 m. Resident in cloud forest undergrowth.
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
Violet Sabrewing
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Violet Sabrewing
Macqueen's Bustard: white underparts; sandy-brown above; black and white neck pattern; males with elongated neck plumes in display
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Violet Sabrewing
A large hummingbird (14-15 cm), the largest hummingbird in Central America. Males have brilliant violet-purple plumage with white outer tail feathers. Found in humid montane forests from Mexico to Panama. Nectarivore of cloud forest undergrowth, visiting Heliconia and banana flowers.
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.