White-vented Violetear vs Purple-throated Carib
Colibri serrirostris compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-vented Violetear | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colibri serrirostris | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.6 cm (5.4 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 6.199999999999999 g (0.22 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of highland and lowland forest margins. Feeds on diverse tubular flowers and catches flying … | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
White-vented Violetear
Sharp, emphatic squeak repeated quickly; tiny piercing notes delivered insistently during competitive encounters near feeders.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-vented Violetear
Found in cerrado, chaco, and open woodland of central and southern Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. 200–1,200 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
White-vented Violetear
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
White-vented Violetear
Coppery Emerald: iridescent bronze-green with coppery rump; violet-blue gorget; white belly patch; rufous flanks; females plain below
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
White-vented Violetear
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) with green plumage, violet ear patches, and a distinctive white vent. Found in cerrado and open habitats of central South America from Brazil to Argentina. Nectarivore of savanna flowers and gardens. An adaptable, widespread species.
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.