Canivet's Emerald vs Purple-throated Carib
Cynanthus canivetii compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Canivet's Emerald | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cynanthus canivetii | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 2.4000000000000004 g (0.08 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from diverse forest flowers, hovering briefly at each bloom. Takes small insects … | 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
Canivet's Emerald
Sharp, emphatic chip repeated persistently; clean staccato note with forceful attack during territorial announcement.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Canivet's Emerald
Found from southern Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica. Resident in forest edges and gardens at various elevations.
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
Canivet's Emerald
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Canivet's Emerald
Andean Emerald: males with glittering green gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted white below
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Canivet's Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found from Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica. Brilliant emerald-green plumage with a short, straight bill. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and second growth. One of the most common small hummingbirds in Central America.
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.