White-chested Emerald vs Purple-throated Carib
Chrysuronia brevirostris compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-chested Emerald | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysuronia brevirostris | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 4.25 g (0.15 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore specialising in tubular blossoms; supplements the floral nectar diet with tiny 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
White-chested Emerald
Thin, reedy whistle with plaintive nasal quality; soft tone held briefly then gently fading in rain forest.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-chested Emerald
Found in humid forests from the Guianas through northern Amazonia to eastern Venezuela. Resident in lowland forest.
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
White-chested Emerald
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
White-chested Emerald
Reunion Coucal: dark glossy black above; rufous wings; pale below; long dark tail; red eye; island endemic; similar to related species
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
White-chested Emerald
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in humid forests from the Guianas through northern Amazonia to eastern Venezuela. White breast, green plumage. Short bill. Nectarivore of forest edges, savanna, and gardens.
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.