Red-billed Emerald vs Purple-throated Carib
Chlorostilbon gibsoni compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Red-billed Emerald | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlorostilbon gibsoni | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 9.9 cm (3.9 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 3.4 g (0.12 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on floral nectar in lowland Venezuelan scrub and forest. Gleans insects and spiders to … | 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
Red-billed Emerald
Harsh, buzzy chatter with urgency; rough staccato notes escalating quickly during competitive flower territory dispute.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Red-billed Emerald
Found in dry valleys and scrub of Colombia and Venezuela. Resident in arid and semi-arid habitats at low elevations.
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
Red-billed Emerald
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Red-billed Emerald
Versicolored Emerald: males with glittering multicolored gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spots
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Red-billed Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in dry valleys and scrub of Colombia and Venezuela. Bright green plumage with a red bill with dark tip. Nectarivore of arid and semi-arid habitats. Named after the naturalist William Gibson.
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.