Humboldt's Hummingbird vs Purple-throated Carib
Chrysuronia humboldtii compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Humboldt's Hummingbird | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysuronia humboldtii | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 6.275 g (0.22 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from Colombian and Venezuelan lowland flowers. Supplements with small arthropods caught near … | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Humboldt's Hummingbird
Melodic, descending two-note whistle; pure warm tones stepping down smoothly, given repeatedly from territory perch.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Humboldt's Hummingbird
Found in humid Pacific lowland forests of Colombia and Ecuador. Resident in Chocó 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
Humboldt's Hummingbird
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Humboldt's Hummingbird
Black-throated Coucal: black throat; brown streaked above; rufous wings; buff below; long dark tail; red eye; black throat distinctive
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Humboldt's Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in humid Pacific lowland forests of Colombia and Ecuador. Green plumage. Nectarivore of Chocó forest edges. Named after Alexander von Humboldt. Sometimes considered a subspecies of Sapphire-throated Hummingbird.
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.