Narrow-tailed Emerald vs Purple-throated Carib
Chlorostilbon stenurus compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Narrow-tailed Emerald | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlorostilbon stenurus | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.4 cm (3.3 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 3.4000000000000004 g (0.12 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on floral nectar at forest edges in northwestern South America. Supplements diet with 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
Narrow-tailed Emerald
Melodic, two-note ascending whistle; pure tones stepping upward clearly, given repeatedly near territory boundary.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Narrow-tailed Emerald
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Peru at 800-2,500 m elevation. Resident in montane forest edges.
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
Narrow-tailed Emerald
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Narrow-tailed Emerald
White-chinned Sapphire (alt): males with glittering blue gorget; metallic green above; white chin; females green above; spotted below
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Narrow-tailed Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Peru at 800-2,500 m. Green plumage with a narrow, slightly forked tail. Nectarivore of forest edges and gardens. Named for its distinctively narrow tail feathers.
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.