Rainbow Starfrontlet vs Purple-throated Carib
Coeligena iris compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rainbow Starfrontlet | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena iris | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 7.266666666666667 g (0.26 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Peruvian cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and mossy shrub flowers. Takes … | 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
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Thin, sibilant trill sustained briefly; continuous high-frequency vibration then silence, barely perceptible in habitat.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forests of southern Ecuador and northern Peru at 1,800–3,200 m elevation.
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
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Purple-backed Sunbeam (alt): males with iridescent purple gorget; metallic green above; purple back; 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
Rainbow Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador at 1,800-3,200 m. Males display rainbow-like iridescence on the forehead, flashing different colors as light angle changes. Nectarivore of montane forest and scrub.
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.