Broad-billed Hummingbird vs Purple-throated Carib
Cynanthus latirostris compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Broad-billed Hummingbird | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cynanthus latirostris | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.3 cm (4.1 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 3.3333333333333335 g (0.12 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican thorn-forest and canyon habitats, probing wide-mouthed flowers. Gleans insects and spiders for … | 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
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Rough, grating chatter with coarse texture; harsh series of notes interspersed with sharp emphatic chips.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Found from the southwestern United States to central Mexico. Breeds in desert canyons; winters in western Mexico.
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
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Buff-bellied Hummingbird: males with brilliant rose-red gorget; metallic green above; buff belly; rufous tail; females green above
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Broad-billed Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) found from the southwestern US to Mexico. Males have an iridescent blue throat and green body with a distinctive coral-red bill with dark tip. Nectarivore of desert canyons, oak woodland, and gardens. Often attracts attention with its squeaky calls.
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.