Golden Starfrontlet vs Purple-throated Carib
Coeligena eos compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden Starfrontlet | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena eos | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 6.599999999999999 g (0.23 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian Pacific slope; visits Ericaceae and Heliconia in wet montane forest. Supplements with … | 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
Golden Starfrontlet
Rough, buzzy trill with scratchy edge; coarse sustained notes with raw texture carrying across Andean scrub.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Golden Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forests of northeastern Colombia and adjacent northwestern Venezuela. 1,600–2,800 m. Uncommon.
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
Golden Starfrontlet
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Golden Starfrontlet
Wedge-tailed Hillstar: males with iridescent blue gorget; metallic green body; wedge-shaped tail; white leg puffs; females plain green
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Golden Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have golden-orange plumage, unusual among Coeligena hummingbirds. Nectarivore of cloud forest. Classified as Endangered due to small range and habitat loss.
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.