Buff-winged Starfrontlet vs Purple-throated Carib
Coeligena lutetiae compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buff-winged Starfrontlet | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena lutetiae | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.5 cm (6.1 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 7.025 g (0.25 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian montane Ericaceae-rich forest. Supplements nectar with small insects and spiders gleaned from … | 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
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Deep, hollow churring with resonant character; prolonged buzzing sound vibrating persistently through Andean polylepis.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Found in high Andean cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia at 2,400–3,600 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
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Andean Hillstar: males with iridescent multicolored gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted buff below
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Peru at 2,400-3,500 m. Green plumage with buff-colored wing patches visible in flight. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges.
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.